Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers believes Colin Kaepernick is being shunned by NFL teams for his anthem protest, and has backed any fellow players who sit down during renditions of the Stars and Stripes.

Rodgers said former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kaepernick -- who remains unemployed - was worthy of a place on an NFL roster.

Kaepernick divided the NFL last season after refusing to stand for the American national anthem in protest at the treatment of racial minorities by law enforcement.

Since being released by the 49ers, Kaepernick has remained unsigned, fuelling speculation he has been "blackballed" by NFL teams over his protest.

Rodgers said he believes Kaepernick's plight is linked to his protest.

"I think he should be on a roster right now," Rodgers told ESPN magazine.

"I think because of his protests, he's not," added the 33-year-old, who is the most high-profile player to offer public support to Kaepernick.

Rodgers said while he would continue to stand for the anthem, he was fully supportive of players who chose not to.

"I'm gonna stand because that's the way I feel about the flag — but I'm also 100 percent supportive of my teammates or any fellow players who are choosing not to," Rodgers told the magazine.

"They have a battle for racial equality. That's what they're trying to get a conversation started around."

Source: AFP