Syracuse Football’s Jim Brown says ‘I don’t desecrate my flag’

When asked about the Colin Kaepernick story, Syracuse Football legend Jim Brown didn’t hide his feelings. ITLH breaks down his comments.

Jim Brown is a living legend in Central New York. He played for the Syracuse football team from 1954 through 1956. Plus a Pro Football Hall of Fame career with the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.

Although Brown has always prided himself on what he can do beyond sports. Not only in entertainment as an actor for several big hits: The Running Man (1987), The Dirty Dozen (1967), and Any Given Sunday (1999).

But he’s gone for a higher calling with his work as a civil rights activist. So understandably he was asked in a recent interview about the social activism conversation revolving around Colin Kaepernick.

Surprisingly Brown seemed to question Kaep’s strategy:

"“I want to be in his corner, and I do think, ‘God bless him,'” Brown said in an interview with ThePostGame. “I’m going to give you the real deal: I’m an American. 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.”"

Everything that Kaepernick is bringing up is certainly worthy of further conversation.

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Unfortunately it seems like his intended purpose is getting marred by his independent stance of kneeling during the national anthem.

Here’s the facts: Kaepernick is more than talented enough to be at the very least a backup quarterback in the league. While over the offseason there’s been unsupported speculation that he has crazy demands that include big money and a starting gig.

Heck even Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll got his opinion in:

"“He’s a starter in this league,” the coach told reporters Friday via Fox Sports. “We have a starter, but he is a starter in this league and I can’t imagine somebody won’t give him a chance to play.”"

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So he’s good enough to be a starter, but too good to be your backup?

That’s almost like when you have decided to break up with your girlfriend and you meet up in person and you say, ‘you deserve so much better than’.

I mean come on, just don’t say anything, that would’ve been much better. Long story short, it’s clear that Kaep is being black balled by the NFL. To get into the dirty details, what does black balled mean?

That suggests collusion, that the NFL owners bandied together and said hey this is in the best interest for everyone lets avoid this guy like the plague. Did that happen? While it’s unlikely, it’s not out of the realm of possibilities. I mean these owners meet at NFL Owner’s meetings every year.

But I don’t want to deviate from the point of this article. I reiterate Brown’s comments, Kaep your message got mixed reviews because you messed with something sacred in this country that stands for so much.

Building on that, even if you kneel, which I disagree with, carry that forward. Organize those thoughts and use the platform that you’ve been given and get others to join your cause. Be a leader.

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Even if your NFL career is over, continue your message. On social media some of your work has been documented, keep it up. The only opinion that should matter to you is your own. I respect your right to execute your right. Now it’s your job to carry that forward.