Alabama High School Senior Kneels for National Anthem

Not only are there NFL players kneeling during the National Athem but it's happening at a High school level as well.

His name is Chris Smith, he's a Senior Fairfield High School. This young man had teachers, students and teammates questioning his reason for kneeling during the National Anthem? Smith starting kneeling in August, weeks before anthem protests became widespread in NFL stadiums.

Smith explained to AL.com that he read the full text of the "Star-Spangled Banner" and interpreted a passage in the third verse to be racist and promote discrimination.

"That doesn't stand for me, so why should I stand for them?" Smith said to AL.com.

Even though there's 4 verses, the first verse is what's sung before graves. Here are the 2 lines gettin the third verse be found to be offensive.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave / From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave."

"That means death," Smith said. "The grave, that's just literally saying death. You cannot even escape this even by dyin, her explained to AL.com.

His Father and coach supports him.