Roger Goodell doesn't 'necessarily agree with' Colin Kaepernick's protest

Just about everyone has made their opinions on Colin Kaepernick known over the past few weeks, but one important figure had yet to comment on the San Francisco 49ers quarterback … until Wednesday.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spoke out on Kaepernick’s decision to sit and then kneel during the National Anthem, supporting the QB's choice to protest racial injustice but also preaching his own patriotism.

"I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we don't live in a perfect society,” Goodell said, via the Associated Press. “On the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL. I personally believe very strongly in that."

Goodell continued by saying "we have to choose respectful ways of doing that so that we can achieve the outcomes we ultimately want and do it with the values and ideals that make our country great."

Kaepernick isn’t the only player to choose not to stand during the National Anthem. His teammate, Eric Reid, kneeled with him during the team’s fourth preseason game, while Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sat on the bench, as well.

The San Francisco 49ers open their season on Monday night, and Kaepernick is expected to continue his protest then.

Goodell’s full comments can be read below, as obtained by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network:

"Well my personal thoughts are ... I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we don't live in a perfect society. We live in an imperfect society. On the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL. I personally believe very strongly in that. I think it's important to have respect for our country, for our flag, for the people who make our country better; for law enforcement, and for our military who are out fighting for our freedoms and our ideals.

"These are all important things for us, and that moment is a very important moment. So, I don't necessarily agree with what he is doing. We encourage our players to be respectful in that time and I like to think of it as a moment where we can unite as a country. And that's what we need more, and that's what I think football does -- it unites our country. So I would like to see us focusing on our similarities and trying to bring people together.

"Players have a platform, and it's his right to do that. We encourage them to be respectful and it's important for them to do that.

"I think it's important if they see things they want to change in society, and clearly we have things that can get better in society, and we should get better. But we have to choose respectful ways of doing that so that we can achieve the outcomes we ultimately want and do it with the values and ideals that make our country great."