Jim Brown: “I’ll never kneel”
Brown, known as one of the most prominent activist/athletes of his era (and probably all eras), said he would never kneel for the national anthem according to Tom WIthers of the Associated Press.
“I’ll never kneel and I will always respect the flag,” Brown told Withers before the HBO premiere of “Hard Knocks” that features the Browns.
Brown, who is 82, said he supported the players’ rights to kneel. But he didn’t agree with what they’re doing.
“Well, if you take the bottom line, what are we talking about? We’re talking about freedom to express one’s self, and if you don’t break any rules then you have that particular right,” Brown told the Associated Press.
“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.
“We work hard to make it better and that’s my attitude, 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?”
