Fox News host explains Colin Kaepernick to Fox viewers: He is a ‘revered character among America-hating leftists’

Fox News online host Todd Starnes on Tuesday argued that NFL player and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick is known for being a "revered character among America-hating leftists."

On Tuesday, Fox's morning program, Fox & Friends, suggested viewers could burn their Nike shoes to protest the company's affiliation with Kaepernick.

The conservative news network first started demonizing the NFL quarterback after he began kneeling during the national anthem as a silent protest against systemic racism in the criminal justice system. President Donald Trump has also used Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the anthem as red meat for speeches at his rallies.

Writing on FoxNews.com, Starnes repeats the talking points about Nike that had first appeared on Fox & Friends.

"The disgraced ex-NFL quarterback who led a national crusade to disparage the national anthem and law enforcement is now the face of Nike's 'Just Do It' campaign," Starnes laments in the "opinion" column. "It's beyond me why Nike would take such a financial risk and align the company with a man who once wore socks depicting cops as pigs and embraced Fidel Castro."

"So Nike wants American teenagers to emulate a man who disrespects the national anthem, slanders police officers and embraces Communist leaders?" Starnes ranted.

The Fox News personality went on to detail some of Kaepernick's history for readers who might not be aware.

"Soon, his one-man crusade spread throughout professional sports – leading to a massive backlash from patriotic fans," Starnes wrote, adding, "But Kaepernick stood his ground and became a revered character among America-hating leftists. GQ magazine named him Citizen of the Year in 2017.

Todd did not immediately identify "America-hating leftists," nor did he cite a source for his claim.