Mike Ditka Apologizes For Comments On Racial Oppression

CHICAGO, IL -- Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has apologized for making controversial comments about the national anthem protests during an interview on the Westwood One Monday Night Football pregame show. Weighing in on players kneeling to protest against racism, Ditka said he regrets saying, "There's been no oppression in the last 100 years that I know of. Now maybe I'm not watching it as carefully as other people."

In a statement to WGN-TV in Chicago, Ditka clarified he has seen oppression in society over the past 100 years. He also explained that he's "intolerant of any discrimination."

"The interview was about the NFL and the related issues. That’s where my head was at," Ditka said in the statement.

During Jim Gray's interview with Ditka on Westwood One, Ditka said if he was still coaching, he would bench players who kneeled in protest during the anthem.

"I don't care who you are, how much money you make...if you don't respect our country, then you shouldn't be in this country playing football," Ditka said in the interview. "Go to another country and play football." (For more local news, subscribe to free email news alerts and a daily newsletter for your hometown Patch.)

"I think the opportunity is there for everybody. Race, religion, creed, color, nationality. If you want to work, if you want to try, you want to put effort, I think you can accomplish anything," Ditka said.

WATCH: Mike Ditka's Westwood One interview

Ditka's comments stirred up anger across the United States. During Fox & Friends on Tuesday, NFL Hall of Famer Joe Namath defended the anthem protests.

“Look up the meaning of oppression,” Namath said. “Look up the definition of oppression, and you understand that it’s obviously taken place.”

Top image via AP