Clemson coach would not discipline player for anthem protest

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Coach Dabo Swinney says he wouldn't discipline Clemson players for protesting the national anthem because just like San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, they have that right.

But Swinney said Tuesday he disagrees with Kaepernick's actions because they create divisiveness among people and muddy the message. After Swinney was asked if he would discipline one of the players on the fifth-ranked Tigers for an anthem protest, he said Kaepernick should have found another way to express his opinion without the polarizing gesture.

The coach noted that too often things get painted with a broad brush and people take sides and bar potential dialogue about issues. The coach says he hates ''to see what is going on with our country.''

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Kaepernick has protested what he says is the oppression of blacks and other minorities.

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AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org

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