Motown legend Gladys Knight, known as the Empress of Soul, is sharing her stance on the NFL's treatment of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick after announcing she will be singing the national anthem at Super Bowl LIII.
Kaepernick garnered national attention and sparked dialogue in 2016 for not standing during the anthem as a way of protesting police brutality and social inequality.
Kaepernick became a free agent in 2017, and has not been signed to another team.
Knight, who is an Atlanta native and civil rights advocate, said in a statement to USATODAY that "it is unfortunate that our national anthem has been dragged into this debate when the distinctive senses of the national anthem and fighting for justice should each stand alone.