Tortorella would bench Kaepernick-style protesters

John Tortorella's always had his own way of doing things.

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Team USA World Cup head coach was asked Tuesday about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's protest of the U.S. national anthem and was straightforward in his response.

"If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there for the rest of the game," Tortorella said, according to ESPN's Linda Cohn.

Kaepernick cites police brutality and oppression of people of color as his reasons for the protest.

Boston Bruins and U.S. forward David Backes opined on Kaepernick's actions Monday, saying that while the QB has the right to express himself, Backes will "salute that flag every time it is raised."

National anthems won't be played before World Cup of Hockey games, which means players won't have an opportunity to protest like Kaepernick - and others in the NFL and in other sports - is, but Tortorella's comments are strong, nonetheless. And they weren't lost on Tampa Bay Lightning forward J.T. Brown: