--- ---  # Steven Seagal Called the NFL Protests 'Disgusting.' Here's What the Internet Thought of That ## Video: NFL Players Protest Against Trump's Comments- Compilation [Watch (HLS stream): NFL Players Protest Against Trump's Comments- Compilation](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/RHFq1ePX.m3u8) (2:16)  _Published 2017-09-25. NFL Players Protest Against Trump's Comments- Complation_ by [Kevin Lui](https://time.com/author/kevin-lui/) ## Kevin Lui Sep 28, 2017 6:30 AM UTC  Steven Seagal in Los Angeles, Feb. 23, 2017. Steven Seagal in Los Angeles, Feb. 23, 2017.Paul Archuleta—Getty Images by [Kevin Lui](https://time.com/author/kevin-lui/) ## Kevin Lui Sep 28, 2017 6:30 AM UTC Actor [Steven Seagal](http://time.com/4468168/steven-seagal-carrot-watermelon-minsk-belarus-president/) became the subject of online mockery Wednesday after he said on British television that recent [kneeling protests at NFL games](http://time.com/4955599/why-president-trump-picked-a-fight-with-athletes/) were both “outrageous” and “disgusting.” Speaking via satellite from Moscow, where he now lives, Seagal told the hosts of _Good Morning Britain_ that he disagreed with the movement started by professional football players who chose to [kneel during the national anthem](http://time.com/4955154/nfl-kneeling-unity-trump/) to protest police brutality and racial inequality. His remarks echo those of President Donald Trump, who has [called](http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41407176) the action “disgraceful” and suggested that athletes who do not stand during the anthem should be fired. Trump’s remarks on Twitter calling out athletes by name have reopened a national debate about free speech and race, and pitted the president against some of the country’s most influential figures in the world of sports. “I believe in free speech, I believe that everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but I don’t agree that they should hold the United States of America or the world hostage by taking a venue where people are tuning in to watch a football game and imposing their political views,” Seagal said on the show, hosted by Piers Morgan. “I think it’s outrageous, I think it’s a joke, it’s disgusting.” > [](https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/912949309120958469) He continued: “I respect the American flag. I myself have risked my life countless times for the American flag and I don’t understand or agree with this kind of behavior.” Seagal also defended Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin — who personally signed the executive order granting him Russian citizenship — during the interview. Seagal’s praise of the two leaders and his condemnation of the NFL protests prompted a range of swift reactions from Internet users. > [](https://twitter.com/jemelehill/status/913130296882683904) > [](https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/913020759756468225) > [](https://twitter.com/Lecv/status/912940148903628800) > [](https://twitter.com/MrMikyl/status/912946988311773184) > [](https://twitter.com/EricStangel/status/913050497392799744) > [](https://twitter.com/ditzkoff/status/913032272022040576) Watch the full interview above. 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