Obama Defends Kaepernick's Anthem Protest: 'It's the Way Democracy Works'

President Barack Obama defended NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protest against the national anthem Monday during a press conference at the G20 summit in China.

Obama said Kaepernick was "exercising his constitutional right" to bring attention to racial injustice.

"When it comes to the flag and the national anthem and the meaning that holds for our men and women in uniform and those who fought for us — that is a tough thing for them to get past," Obama said.

"But I don't doubt his sincerity," he added. "I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about. If nothing else, he's generated more conversation about issues that have to be talked about."

The president said that Kaepernick's decision to sit out the anthem before NFL games was "messy" but it is "the way democracy works."

"I'd rather have young people who are engaged in the argument and trying to think through how they can be part of our democratic process than people who are just sitting on the sidelines not paying attention at all," Obama said.

Another athlete, soccer player Megan Rapinoe, followed in Kaepernick's footsteps, kneeling during the anthem before her soccer game on Sunday night.

Rapinoe told John D. Halloran of American Soccer Now that her kneeling was "a nod to Kaepernick." She said her reason for kneeling was also due to her homosexuality.

"And quite honestly, being gay, I have stood with my hand over my heart during the national anthem and felt like I haven't had my liberties protected, so I can absolutely sympathize with that feeling," she said.

Kaepernick plans to continue his stance, according to the NFL.

"This is not something that I am going to run by anybody," he said. "I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. ... If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right."