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Kaepernick Fires Back At Trump: 'Let's Make America Great For The First Time'

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Colin Kaepernick fired back at Donald Trump after the Republican presidential nominee insinuated last month that the San Francisco 49ers quarterback should leave the United States if he won't stand for the national anthem.

"That's a very ignorant statement that if you don't agree with what's going on here and that if you want justice and liberty and freedom for all that you should leave the country," Kaepernick told reporters Tuesday. "He always says 'Make America Great Again.' Well, America has never been great for people of color and that's something that needs to be addressed. Let's make America great for the first time."

Kaepernick also had a harsh assessment of Trump and Hillary Clinton after their performances during Monday night's presidential debate.

"To me, it was embarrassing to watch that these are our two candidates. Both are proven liars and it almost seems like they're trying to debate who's less racist," Kaepernick said. "At this point, talking with one of my friends, it was you have to pick the lesser of two evils, but in the end it's still evil."

In an interview with "The Dori Monson Show" last month, Trump suggested Kaepernick should find a new country to live in.

"Well, I have followed it and I think it's personally not a good thing. I think it's a terrible thing. Maybe he should find a country that works better for him. Let him try, it won't happen," Trump said.

Kaepernick has refused to stand for the national anthem this season as he protests racial inequality and police brutality in the country. Several other NFL players have joined him in his protest.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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