Jim Brown would “never kneel” because he’s “not going to denigrate my flag”

Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Brown says he’d never kneel since it’s disrespectful to the U.S. Flag.

The former Cleveland Browns legend appeared on the premiere of HBO’s Hard Knocks, where he admitted he would never kneel for the anthem. Brown says he respects players right to kneel if they choose while giving the usual “old man yells at a cloud” speel.

 “I’ll never kneel and I will always respect the flag,” Brown said before the HBO premiere of Hard Knocks, according to Fox News.

Brown added that he wishes players would stand as well, but he respects their right to knee if they so choose. “I am not going to denigrate my flag and I’m going to stand for the national anthem,” Brown said. “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.”

So if you’re wondering where he stands on Colin Kaepernick, you can probably discern it from these remarks.

Brown’s 82 years old, so the take isn’t surprising. Personally, I don’t get how all these athletes conflate kneeling to disrespecting the flag but whatever. To each their own. Patriotism works in many different ways.

So continue not kneeling, Jim. Like those who choose to kneel, it’s your right.

[Complex]