NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown is once again slamming player protests during the national anthem, as the National Football League continues to be roiled over the continuing controversy.
Brown spoke before the HBO premier of Hard Knocks and said, “I’ll never kneel and I will always respect the flag,” according to Fox News.
“I am not going to denigrate my flag, and I’m going to stand for the national anthem,” the Hall of Famer continued. “I’m fighting with all of my strength to make it a better country, but I don’t think that’s the issue. Because what is the top side? Are you not going to stand up? This is our country, man.
“We work hard to make it better, and that’s my attitude,” the 83-year-old added, “so I don’t relate to this issue because it’s newsworthy because where are your superstars? And where are they at? Aren’t they making comments?”
The famed Cleveland Browns running back said that he preferred players stand in honor of the flag during the anthem, but did say he respects their right to free speech.
This is not the first time that Brown has spoken out against the anthem protests. Last year Brown reportedly told the Cleveland Browns to respect the flag. “Do not disrespect your country, do not disrespect the flag,” he said in August.
“I’m going to give you the real deal: I’m an American,” Brown told ThePostGame. “I don’t desecrate my flag and my national anthem. I’m not gonna do anything against the flag and national anthem. I’m going to work within those situations. But this is my country, and I’ll work out the problems, but I’ll do it in an intelligent manner.”
In May the NFL floated a rule to ban anthem protests but backed off when the player’s union filed a grievance to stop the rule’s implementation. Since then the league and the players have been in talks to figure out what to do about the protests. No decision has been made even with the 2018 season about to start.
source: breitbart.com
I met Mr Jim Brown when we both were 20. He was strong on civil rights for African American citizens. I agreed then with his principles and worked for them across two careers as an Army officer and then as a history professor. His position on supporting the flag and the constitution is correct. So is his position on working forcefully for citizen rights for all. Mr. Brown is a championship athlete and a sturdy patriot.
Russ Ramsey, Ph. D.
Lt Col, Ret., US Army
Not everything in life is about your legal right to do something offensive, obnoxious, disrespectful or stupid. We all have that right. It’s about what is the right thing to do. If someone has a grievance they have a right to make that grievance known, but doing it the right way is much more appropriate and productive toward gaining understanding and support. So if they want to protest about something, fine. Organize a rally, or a march etc. and state the nature of the grievance. But to defile our nations flag, our military, our national anthem is a disgrace. Do they have the legal right? Yes. Do they have the common sense and decency to do it in a manner that is appropriate. No. Maybe they think passing gas in church or belching loudly in a restaurant is just fine also, because they have the legal right. Their ignorance is palpable. How many other countries offer the opportunities for these whiners to become millionaires? Perhaps they should take their talents and complaints and emigrate to Yemen or Iran.
Thank you Jim Brown; i believe the owner of the patriots blocked the firing of the CEO. Gozelle (?}
Also. They have hushed the betting scandal. The lawyer from NY was brutally murdered with his
friend for speaking out. I had the video but mysteriously it disappeared. Now who do you think
was responsible????? Money is the ROOT OF ALL EVIL!!!!
God b;ess you, JIM BROWN!!!!
A true American, role model, great athlete and in my book a hero!
I get the freedom of speech thing. what I don’t get, is why HE / they are disrespecting the flag, when its police policies He / they? have issues with.
I respect and support the badge. But not neccessarily all the people who wear it.