NU Regent Daub says comments about kicking kneeling players off team were misquoted

University of Nebraska Regent Hal Daub jumped into the middle of a debate concerning the actions of several Husker football players.

Senior linebacker Michael Rose-Ivey, redshirt freshman Mohamed Barry and freshman DaiShon Neal took a knee during the anthem ahead of the game against Northwestern University, last Saturday. On Monday Rose-Ivey said they were joining in solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other professional and amateur athletes who are kneeling or otherwise protesting racial injustice and police brutality.

Daub was quoted in a local newspaper as saying Rose-Ivey, Barry, and Neal should be kicked off the team for their actions. The quote, which was

, read in part, "They know better and they had better be kicked off the team."

In an on-camera interview with WOWT 6 News, Daub responded saying that he was misquoted in the article. "I did not say that the three football players should be kicked off the team, my goodness gracious," said Daub. "How ridiculous. I wouldn't say that." Daub also told WOWT 6 News sister station 10/11 News in Lincoln that his comments were taken out of context and that he was asking the newspaper for a retraction.

Daub said that the three players have the right to free speech, but shouldn't take a stance while in a Nebraska uniform.

"I think their conduct was discouraging to many Nebraskans. I think it was disappointing. I'm personally offended as someone that served in the military," he said.

Daub added that, like the players on the field, he's simply expressing his First Amendment right to free speech. "I'm certainly entitled to my opinion just as some of those who might criticize me are entitled to theirs."

Rose-Ivey delivered a prepared speech to the media on Monday where he explained why he and his teammates took a knee on the sidelines during the anthem.

. The players involved say they've received blowback from fans, friends, media, and peers since Saturday night's game. Rose-Ivey defended their actions, saying, "While you may disagree with the method, these reactions further underscore the need for this protest and gives us a small glimpse into the persistent problem of racism in this county."

Husker football head coach Mike Riley stood by his players. On Tuesday Riley said, "Everybody should be reminded that there's lots of different -- I've got 140 kids on the football team and they're all different in their own beautiful way. And I think everybody should be reminded that this is America and we have an opportunity and a right to be able to basically do what we feel."

That's a sentiment echoed by University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds, who said in part "that all are free to state their opinion is the beauty of living in a country like the United States."

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Nebraska takes on Illinois at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday at 2:30 pm. Players are typically not yet out on the field during the national anthem at games held at Memorial Stadium.