Obama: Kaepernick Is 'Exercising His Constitutional Right'

President Obama says 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is the latest in a long line of professional athletes who have exercised their constitutional right to make a statement about social issues.

The president was asked at a news conference in China Monday about Kaepernick's gesture -- refusing to stand for the national anthem to protest police violence and racial discrimination.

Obama said he has no doubt that Kaepernick is sincere and "cares about some real, legitimate issues."

Kaepernick has been heavily criticized since starting his silent protest. Obama says he hasn't paid close attention to the matter. But he adds approvingly that Kaepernick has generated more national conversation about "issues that need to be talked about."

On Sunday night, U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem before the Seattle Reign's game against the Chicago Red Stars "in a little nod" to Kaepernick.

"It was very intentional," Rapinoe told American Soccer Now after Seattle's 2-2 tie in the National Women's Soccer League game. "It was a little nod to Kaepernick and everything that he's standing for right now. I think it's actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated ... Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties."