The start of the NFL season is only about a month away and that means we’re gearing up for spoiled multimillionaire athletes disrespecting our national anthem and American flag before all of us.
Nobody knows exactly what the anthem-kneeling climate will be like at the kickoff of the season – whether it will be the same old names we’re used to, or a whole new cast of anti-American players.
But before these protests get out of hand, all of these players should listen to legendary Hall of Fame running back of the Cleveland Browns, Jim Brown, who shut the idea of kneeling down with only two words.
Jim Brown is one of the all-time great running backs and is Cleveland, Ohio royalty. One could argue he had a much bigger impact than LeBron James ever did and will ever do.
And when he speaks, everyone should listen because he offers wisdom. He’s the prototypical athlete role model.
That especially applies to what he said about NFL players disrespecting the flag.
Brown spoke before the red carpet premiere of HBO’s Hard Knocks, which features the Cleveland Browns this year, and said, “I’ll never kneel and I will always respect the flag.”
He may not be in the league anymore, but his words carry weight to many young players because of his football legacy and work in the community.
Brown continued, “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.”
That’s exactly what all of these anthem-kneelers need to hear before they decide whether they want to make a mockery out of the NFL.
Brown also said, “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?”
What exactly has the last two years of disrespecting our flag actually accomplished?
This was a sentiment that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott also shared when he said it was time to move on and stand up against police brutality against minorities in a different way rather than protesting the anthem.
All they’ve done is enrage a fan base that is sick of the political and social condescension.
Brown also eloquently stated, “Do not disrespect your country, do not disrespect the flag. 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.”
If only the players echoed this same philosophy of being a patriotic American, then the NFL’s ratings wouldn’t be going down the toilet.
They better get their act together soon or fans will keep bowing out like flies.