Kroger Supermarket Apologizes For Sending Employee Home For Wearing Kaepernick Jersey

Kroger supermarket has apologized to a 16-year-old boy -- an employee of the store -- after sending him home for wearing a Colin Kaepernick jersey ... telling TMZ Sports they were flat out wrong.

As the NY Daily News reported ... Elijah Scott was forced to leave work by a boss at Kroger supermarket in Springfield, Ohio ... after a customer complained about his Colin Kaepernick jersey.

FYI -- during football season, employees are allowed to wear NFL jerseys to work.

We contacted Kroger corporate about the situation ... and the rep said the company was completely against the action taken against Elijah.

"We are proud and privileged to employ a workforce and to serve a customer base as diverse as America. We are aware of this situation and have apologized to Elijah and his mother. Diversity, inclusion and respect are among our company’s core values and ones we strive to live up to every day."