NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick spurred a national discussion in recent days after his decision to forgo standing during the US national anthem as a protest against racial injustice in the country.

Before leading the US national team into its most recent World Cup qualifier as captain on Friday (a 6-0 win against St. Vincent & The Grenadines), Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore shared his thoughts on the topic with Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl.

“I think he’s talking about something [police treatment of black Americans] that is a hot topic right now in our country and something that has been going on for quite some time, and something that needs to be figured out," Altidore told SI.com. "So in a way I understand where he’s coming from.

“Look, unfortunately, in today’s world and life in the United States, as a black man these things happen—still—to this day,” Altidore continued. “I’m not gonna sit here and say I’m not grateful for everything the country has provided for me and my family. I am. But at the same time, I think this type of behavior from certain individuals against black Americans needs to stop. And I think it’s a collective thing that we have to do as a country to really sit down and look at, amongst other issues. And hopefully we can improve upon it.”

Read the full story by Grant Wahl on the Sports Illustrated site.