Vice President Mike Pence left an Indianapolis Colts game early today, after players from the opposing San Francisco 49ers knelt in protest during the national anthem.

Pence announced his departure on Twitter, saying he would not “dignify any event” that disrespects the anthem, the flag or U.S. soldiers.

The former Indiana governor flew in so he could watch Peyton Manning’s jersey retirement ceremony on Sunday. Manning will become the first Indianapolis-era player in Colts history to have his number retired and will also be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor.

But Pence didn’t stick around long.

Pence said on Twitter :

I left today’s Colts game because @POTUS and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem.

— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017

…now, more than ever, we should rally around our Flag and everything that unites us…

— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017

I stand with @POTUS Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem. pic.twitter.com/B0zP5M41MQ

— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017

We were proud to stand – with all our @Colts – for our soldiers, our flag, and our National Anthem 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mkZiKMkPDD

— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017

Pence tweeted this earlier in the afternoon:

Looking forward to cheering for our @Colts & honoring the great career of #18 Peyton Manning at @LucasOilStadium today. Go Colts! pic.twitter.com/C3aCYUNpqG

— Vice President Pence (@VP) October 8, 2017

The White House also issued a statement from Pence, in which he says Americans should rally around the flag. Pence said: “I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem.”

President Trump tweeted that he had asked Pence to leave if any players kneeled.

I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017

After he left early, Pence released a more formal statement from his office: “At a time when so many Americans are inspiring our nation with their courage, resolve and resilience, now more than ever, we should rally around our flag and everything that unites us… While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect the flag and our national anthem. I stand with President Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our flag and our national anthem.”

Pence is a noted sports fan. The game was the second major event he attended in his home state since taking office in January. He also attended May’s Indianapolis 500, a family tradition.

But Pence couldn’t come to Manning’s statue unveiling Saturday afternoon, which was attended by a number of luminaries including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Pence spent most of Saturday honoring victims of the Las Vegas shooting before returning to his home state.

(AP)