Stevie Wonder: NFL Protests Don't Disrespect the Flag, Trump's Disrespecting the People

EXCLUSIVE

Stevie Wonder is telling TMZ Sports exactly what the national anthem protests mean to him … and why taking a knee does NOT disrespect the flag.

We asked Stevie about the NFL movement sweeping the country … and he told us that it’s a fight for respect and unity — two things Donald Trump wasn’t preachin’ when he told NFL owners to fire their “SOB” players.

“People want to be respected … the constitution’s about everyone being respected,” Stevie said.

“It’s about stopping all this … putting one group against the other group.”

As for criticism that kneeling ain’t patriotic — “People have died for the flag — everyone, every culture, every ethnicity — so it’s not about not valuing the flag.” 

FYI, the legendary singer joined the protest last weekend … dropping to his knees in back-to-back concerts.