Torrey Smith: 'Reactive' NFL anthem policy casts Kaepernick as villain

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Torrey Smith made his feelings about the NFL's new national anthem policy clear on the day of its announcement, criticizing the league on Twitter for implying those who protested had disrespected "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Smith continued to blast the rule Tuesday, saying the NFL has effectively branded Colin Kaepernick and his fellow protestors as "villains."

"When you see reactive policy ... I always think that's a problem," Smith said, according to ESPN's David Newton. "Especially when the message has been changed and guys aren't against the military and they've been protesting for what Kaepernick originally started, against (police) brutality."

Smith added: "It almost makes it seem like a guy like Kaepernick and Eric Reid and guys who started it originally, like what they did was in vain, like they were villains. That's not the case."

Smith and Kaepernick were teammates on the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 and 2016, and the pass-catcher has been a staunch defender of the quarterback ever since.

While Smith is no fan of the anthem policy, the veteran said he wasn't exactly shocked by the NFL's decision.

"You're disappointed but not surprised," Smith said. "At the end of the day, the league is about money, it's a business. To try to silence those guys when they're trying to do the right thing for our country, I don't know what to say about it."