NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka has never been shy about his feelings, this time telling TMZ Sports that “if you can’t respect the national anthem, then get the Hell out of the country!”

Ditka, who is chairman of a women’s tackle football organization called X League, said if he has it his way, none of his league members will be kneeling during the anthem.

While confessing that he’s “old fashioned and will say what he feels”, Ditka added “You don’t protest against the flag…and this country that’s given you the opportunities to make a living playing a sport that you never thought would happen.

Ditka said he doesn’t “want to hear all that crap” about kneeling, which countless pro-sports players have done to protest against police brutality and racial injustice.

Does Ditka’s opinion on national anthem kneeling surprise you?  Is Mike Ditka the guy that should be leading a women’s football league?