Cubs' Joe Maddon Explains How He'd Handle A Player Taking Stance Like Colin Kaepernick

(CBS) In light of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick protesting racial injustice in America by sitting during the national anthem, many sports figures have been asked their opinion of the controversy.

On Tuesday, Cubs manager Joe Maddon-- one of the most respected voices in baseball -- weighed in on how he'd handle the situation and approach Kaepernick.

"You see how I run our clubhouse," Maddon said on the Spiegel and Goff Show on 670. "I'm really about the individual, and I give them a lot of personal freedom, because I believe from that, you're going to get greater respect and discipline in return. When it comes down to a moment like this, I think it's been reported upon and it's pretty much a common theme regarding his right to do what he feels is the right thing to do in that particular moment, and I can't argue with that necessarily. So beyond that, if I had him on my team, I would absolutely want to talk to him on a personal level one-on-one and just try to understand exactly where he's coming from and really try to realize what is the guy thinking and why is he doing this. I know what he's said, but if he's on my team, I'd have to look him in the eyeballs and try to get a better understanding of that. So that's where I'd begin with it. After that, it's hard to really say. He works for an organization. He doesn't work for himself, and that creates other kinds of items or thoughts to be adhered to.

"Like in all situations, my attempt to always to try to understand the person first and then try to deal with it from that perspective. It's an unusual situation. I know it's got to be tough on the 49ers right now, and I'm really curious to see how everybody plays it out."

Listen to Maddon's full interview below.