Basketball star LeBron James has praised the American football players who have protested against Donald Trump, and accused the US president of "using sports to try and divide us".
Trump said on Friday that NFL players who fail to stand during the national anthem should be sacked or suspended.
In widespread protests at the weekend, players responded by kneeling, linking arms or staying in the locker room.
James praised the players' unity, and said: "The people run this country."
The 32-year-old added: "I'm not going to let one individual, no matter their power, ever use sport as a platform to divide us.
"Sport is so amazing, what it can do for everyone. No matter the shape, size, weight, ethnicity, religion or whatever - people find teams, players and colours because of sport. It brings people together like none other."
James, who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers and has won three NBA championships, campaigned for Hillary Clinton, Trump's rival, during the 2016 presidential election campaign.
Latest Stories
-
Jack Daniel’s hits out at Canada pulling US alcohol
6 minutes -
Driver on bail over fraudulent land transaction
24 minutes -
Common vaginal ‘imbalance’ may be an STI
37 minutes -
Keynote speakers arrive in Paris for Women of Valour
3 hours -
Chelsea edge out Copenhagen to take control of last-16 tie
4 hours -
Zirkzee scores but Man United held by Real Sociedad
4 hours -
Neymar returns to Brazil squad after 17-month absence
4 hours -
‘Calm down, it’s not over’, Mourinho warns Rangers
4 hours -
It’s time to reset Ghana and private sector must lead the way – Ishmael Yamson
5 hours -
Prosecutors demand Luis Rubiales World Cup kiss retrial
5 hours -
Ghana won’t sink any further, investors must stay – Ishmael Yamson
5 hours -
Dr. Louisa Satekla pays courtesy call on Haruna Iddrisu to promote oral health education
5 hours -
Coastal Civil Society Forum engages tidal wave victims, calls for urgent gov’t action
6 hours -
ECB apologises for Pope Francis Ashes post joke
6 hours -
Denmark postal service to stop delivering letters
6 hours