Legendary NFL athlete Jim Brown is considered one of the greatest professional football players of all time.
In 1964, he was recognized as the AP NFL Most Valuable Player and is credited with leading the Cleveland Browns to their 1964 NFL championship.
Obviously, 1964 was a lot different than 2020.
But even back then, Jim Brown understood the importance of the American flag.
Brown understood that the freedom and principles of America are what allowed him to find incredible success in the greatest country in the world.
Brown unequivocally stated that he would NEVER "denigrate" the U.S. flag by kneeling during the national anthem.
Specifically, Brown said:
I’ll never kneel and I will always respect the flag…I am not going to denigrate my flag and I’m going to stand for the national anthem. 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.
Wow.
Compare those wise words to the arrogance and disrespect from NFL players such as Kaepernick today.
Below is a video celebrating Brown's career:
Jim Brown's comments have re-surfaced after kneeling in the NFL has once again become a national conversation.
Drew Brees made headlines for saying he would never agree with someone disrespecting the flag by kneeling.
But when the backlash began, he apologized and appeared to bow to the pressure.
However, the Daily Caller suggests that Jim Brown stood far more firm in his comments:
It seems like a great time to remember Jim Brown, arguably the second greatest running back in NFL history behind Barry Sanders, and his stance on the anthem.
The former Cleveland Browns star told the Associated Press the following back in 2018 about kneeling during the national anthem:
I’ll never kneel and I will always respect the flag…I am not going to denigrate my flag and I’m going to stand for the national anthem. 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.
If there was ever a time to remember Brown’s words, it’s right now. There literally couldn’t be a better time.
Look, you can support kneeling during the anthem and protesting, or you can be 100% against it. I think my feelings on the issue have been made crystal clear over the years. When the anthem is playing, I think you should stand.
However, this nonsense and backlash against Brees needs to come to a quick end. He never should have even apologized. He spoke an opinion, which is held by millions of Americans and people flipped out.
Drew Brees original comments can be viewed below:
But after intense backlash on social media, Brees quickly backtracked and apologized for his comments.
In the wake of George Floyd's death, social media users have been commenting with heightened emotions.
Such furious backlash prompted Brees to issue apologies on social media.
As people attempt to normalize kneeling during the national anthem, may we forever remember Jim Brown's inspiring words:
I’ll never kneel and I will always respect the flag…I am not going to denigrate my flag and I’m going to stand for the national anthem. 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.
Amen!
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