Pence abruptly leaves Colt's game after players take a knee during anthem

Vice President Mike Pence abruptly left a football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers Sunday after players knelt during the national anthem in a continuing protest over social injustice and critical remarks from President Donald Trump two weeks ago.

"I left today's Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem," Pence said in a statement on Twitter statement.

"At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve, and resilience, now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us," he said.

Trump later said in a tweet that he asked Pence to leave the game, if any player knelt during the national anthem.

“I am proud of him and second lady Karen,” he said on Twitter.

Earlier Sunday, Pence, the former governor of Indiana, tweeted a picture of he and his wife Karen decked out in Colts sportswear.

National anthem protests took center stage late last month after Trump demanded the NFL fire players who knelt in protest over social injustices.

That sparked outrage from the league and its players. Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL owners and players took a knee the following Sunday in games across the country showing their solidarity with each other and against Trumps comments.

Cox Media Group