Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall lashed out at President Trump for his comments about NFL players who choose to protest during the national anthem.
During an interview Thursday, Trump said players who don't stand for the anthem maybe "shouldn't be in this country."
Marshall is among the players who joined Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem to highlight concerns about oppression of black people and others of color. The players were especially concerned about the growing number of black men killed during interaction with police.
He has long been outspoken about social justice issues and was troubled Trump went even further than the NFL's new policy to fine teams for any player or staff member who doesn't stand during the anthem.
"It's disgusting," Marshall told USA Today when asked about Trump's remarks. "It's disgusting because of our first amendment rights. We have freedom of speech, freedom to protest. So because guys protest something, we have to be kicked out the country? That's not how things should work."
Marshall wasn't alone, with Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin also questioning the president.
"He's an idiot, plain and simple," Baldwin said of Trump, according to the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune.
Under the new NFL policy, players who don't want to stand for the anthem can stay in the locker room.
Marshall stopped kneeling for the anthem after meeting with Denver police in 2016 and learning they would review their use of force policy.
However, he didn't rule out protesting in the future and said players are still discussing how to respond to the new NFL anthem policy.
"If you're going to stay in or not. Well, if you're a starter, can you stay in if they're going to announce the starters? Or are you going to stay in on the road games? It's crazy," Marshall said.
