COLUMBUS (WCMH) – Team USA and Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach John Tortorella made it clear yesterday that he will not tolerate national anthem protests.

Tortorella is coaching Team USA in the upcoming 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

ESPN’s Linda Cohn asked Tortorella about the possibility of a situation similar to the one where San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided not to stand during the National Anthem to protest racial inequality.

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“If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game,” Tortorella said.

Tortorella told USA Today that he considered it an honor to coach Team USA. “It is hockey, but I also think it is a huge platform for us to represent our country, especially in today’s world, with everything is going on,” Tortorella said.