LOS ANGELES - Iconic 1968 Olympic activist Tommie Smith sprang to the defence of Colin Kaepernick as the furore over the San Francisco 49ers quarterback's national anthem boycott raged on.
US athletes Tommie Smith (C) and John Carlos raise clenched fists during the US anthem at the Mexico Olympics in 1968
Smith, famously ostracised for his clenched fist medal podium salute with fellow sprinter John Carlos, said criticism of Kaepernick had missed the point.
"Colin is 28 years old and realizing that things are not quite like what 'they' said it would be," Smith told USA TODAY.
"He's just speaking out (but) he used a platform that many Americans don't agree with.
"He's being vilified in how he brings the truth out," Smith said. "I support him because he's bringing the truth out –- regardless of how done. If it's not done violently, at least he should be heard."
Kaepernick ignited a firestorm of controversy over his refusal to stand up for the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" before a pre-season game against Green Bay on Friday.
The 49ers star said he had sat down during the anthem as a protest aimed at drawing attention to the plight of blacks in America.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was among the latest to join in criticism of Kaepernick, describing the player's protest as "a terrible thing."
"Maybe he should find a country that works better for him, let him try, it's not gonna happen," Trump said.
But in addition to Smith, Kaepernick won support from two of the most respected elder statesmen of American sport, NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and NFL legend Jim Brown, both longtime civil rights advocates.
- 'With him 100 percent' -
"He's doing just what Thomas Jefferson said should be done -- to speak out," Abdul-Jabbar told CNN.
"Maybe people don't like his style or his timing, but he is trying to call attention to issues that are important to him, and I think he has the right to do that."
NFL great Brown said he was with Kaepernick "100 percent."
"I listened to him and he makes all the sense in the world. He's within his rights and he's telling the truth as he sees it," Brown said on the NFL Network. "I am with him 100 percent."
The 49ers and NFL have said that while they encourage standing for the anthem, there are no rules against it. Kaepernick is not expected to be disciplined.
The 49ers quarterback on Sunday said he would continue his protest, with San Francisco's next game coming at San Diego on Thursday in a pre-season match against the Chargers.
San Diego is home to a large population of US military personnel and the Chargers pre-season game will feature a "Salute to the Military."
Kaepernick, however, has said he will not be deterred from sitting out the anthem once again while insisting he retained "great respect" for service personnel.
"I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country," Kaepernick told the San Francisco Chronicle.
"And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That's not happening. People are dying in vain because this country isn't holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody."