John Mellencamp Slammed After He’s Caught Sitting During National Anthem Before NFL Game

The singer and songwriter John Mellencamp is being hit with backlash after he was caught on camera sitting during the national anthem before the Indianapolis Colts-Philadelphia Eagles NFL game on Sunday.

Mellencamp Sits During National Anthem

Fox News reported that Mellencamp was preparing to watch the game in a box above Lucas Oil Stadium when a fan snapped a photo of him sitting and eating popcorn as others stood respectfully for “The Star Spangled Banner.

The fan then sent the photo to OutKick 360’s Dan Dakich, who replied by saying that “Mellencamp is one of America’s Greatest Frauds…always has been.”

Mellencamp, who famously sang the hit song “Ain’t That Amerca,” has since been hit with backlash online for disrespecting the national anthem: 

Mellencamp Supported BLM And Colin Kaepernick

Mellencamp, 71, has previously been an outspoken supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and of the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who made headlines back in 2016 when he started taking a knee during the national anthem before his games.

Though Kaepernick claimed that he was doing this to protest against police brutality and racial injustice, others saw it as a clear sign of disrespect to the American flag and those who have fought and died for it. 

Days before the Super Bowl in 2018, Mellencamp took a knee with his fist in the air after performing “Easy Target” on the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” He then blamed then-President Donald Trump for the backlash that Kaepernick was receiving for disrespecting the national anthem.

“Taking the knee started purely and simply as a protest of racial and social injustice,” Mellencamp said at the time. “Sadly, it was politicized by the current administration. The song is simple and the protest is pure.”

Related: John Mellencamp ‘Takes a Knee’ During Concert in Solidarity With Kaepernick

Trump’s Comments Against Kaepernick

Trump had indeed spoken out against Kaepernick, though many Americans were already offended by his anthem-kneeling antics before he did so.

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, say, ‘Get that son of a b**** off the field right now. Out, you’re fired,'” Trump said at a 2017 anthem, according to People Magazine.

“If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect…our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem,” Trump later added on Twitter. “If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!”

Related: Colin Kaepernick’s Agent Comes Unglued After NFL Legend Says Raiders Workout Was A ‘Disaster’

Mellencamp Declares Himself To Be A ‘Socialist’

Mellencamp has previously described himself as a “Socialist” while also admitting that many of his fans do not agree with his political beliefs.

“If you wanna get into government I can get into it with you real quick,” Mellencamp once said. “You probably don’t wanna have this conversation with me, but here’s the deal: I don’t trust the government. I don’t trust the Democrats. I don’t trust the Republicans. I’m a little bit more Democratic than I am Republican, but really I’m a socialist. And that’s where it’s at.”

In the end, Mellencamp has shown time and time again that he’s just another out of touch leftwing elitist in the entertainment world. Hopefully he sees the backlash that he’s getting for disrespecting the national anthem, and that he thinks twice before doing so again.