American women's football star Megan Rapinoe has knelt during the US national anthem in support of Colin Kaepernick - the NFL quarterback who sparked controversy by protesting against racial injustice and police brutality.

Rapinoe, who plays for MLS side Seattle Reign FC, said she decided to kneel during the Star Spangled Banner as "a little nod to Kaepernick and everything that he's standing for right now."

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Kaepernick hit the headlines after refusing to stand during the national anthem last week, with many Americans seeing his racial protest as a sign of disrespecting the flag.

The 28-year-old knelt for the second time during his team's game against Green Bay Packers last Thursday and was joined by team-mate Eric Reid.

Rapinoe believes her "small" gesture was intended to "spark some meaningful conversation".

She added: "I think it's actually pretty disgusting the way he was treated and the way that a lot of the media has covered it and made it about something that it absolutely isn't.

"Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties."