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Mike Ditka calls kneeling during anthem 'disrespectful': 'Get the hell out of the country'

Mike Ditka, the legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, reiterated his stance that athletes should be kneeling during the national anthem. He called it a protest of the flag and the country, and would prefer it not happen in his new X League, a women’s tackle football league.

Ditka: ‘Get the hell out’ if you can’t show respect

Ditka, 80, was asked about kneeling during the national anthem, which is becoming more common place as sports return from their hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If you can’t respect our national anthem, get the hell out of the country,” Ditka said in a video interview with TMZ Sports.