This would seem to indicate that Kaepernick’s protest is falling on deaf ears:
The president said he hasn’t paid close attention to Kaepernick’s protest, but he added that he has no doubt that Kaepernick is sincere and “cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about.”
As I’ve said before, there is no federal issue here of which I’m aware—plenty of state and local issues, of course—so Obama’s not wrong to pay it no heed while correctly noting that Kaepernick has a constitutional right to sit, kneel, do the Watusi or whatever while the anthem is played.
Still doesn’t mean it’s not disrespectful.