By comparison, here's what President Barack Obama said last year: 

"My understanding at least is he's exercising his constitutional right to make a statement. I think there's a long history of sports figures doing so. I don't doubt his sincerity based on what I've heard. I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues. If nothing else, what he's done is he's generated more conversation about some topics that need to be talked about." 

"You've heard me talk about in the past the need for us to have an active citizenry. Sometimes that's messy and controversial — and it gets people angry and frustrated. But I'd rather have young people who are engaged in the argument and try to think through how they can be part of of our democratic process than people who are just sitting on the sidelines and not paying attention at all."