NASCAR legend Richard Petty once demanded the deportation of athletes kneeling during the national anthem amidst NFL protest controversy  

The discussion around protests by kneeling during the national anthem received massive backlash among NASCAR fans.

NASCAR legend Richard Petty once demanded the deportation of athletes kneeling during the national anthem amidst NFL protest controversy  

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In 2016, NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s controversial protest is still regarded as one of the most influential moments in recent history. The ex-San Francisco 49s player knelt during the national anthem to protest racial inequality in the USA. More athletes from different sports imitated Kaepernick to show their support.

Despite having positive intentions, the gesture was very divisive among the community as many saw it as blatant disrespect of the anthem. NASCAR, the premier stock racing series in the US, was one of the sporting events that didn’t see such protests occurring. Some high-profile NASCAR personnel even said that such actions won’t be tolerated in NASCAR.

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One of those was seven times NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty, who has won 200 Cup Series races in his career. In September 2017, when there was a conversation about such a protest starting in NASCAR, Petty pointed out that he didn’t tolerate such actions and anybody doing it should be deported from the country.

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Anybody that don't stand up for the anthem oughta be out of the country. Period. What got 'em where they're at? The United States.
Petty told ESPN.

Hall of Team owner Richard Childress had a similar stance

Richard Childress, the team owner of RCR, one of the most successful teams in sports history, had a similar stance. He said that he would fire any of his crew members who would kneel during the national anthem.

Richard Childress
Richard Childress 
[Protesters] get you a ride on a Greyhound bus. Anybody that works for me should respect the country we live in. So many people gave their lives for it. This is America.

US President Donald Trump applauded NASCAR via a post on X (then Twitter), claiming he is proud of the fans and the sport for not disrespecting the flag. NASCAR has also released a statement confirming they are against such actions.

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