Pat McManamon, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Josh Gordon, Robert Griffin III react to Colin Kaepernick's decision

BEREA, Ohio -- A friend of Colin Kaepernick and a quarterback colleague both shared their thoughts on the San Francisco 49ers QB's decision not to stand for the national anthem.

Kaepernick said he would not stand to honor a flag of a country that "oppresses black people and people of color."

His stance has drawn a varied reaction and was supported "100 percent" by Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown — who added he himself would not sit down for the anthem.

Here are the thoughts from Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon and quarterback Robert Griffin III:

Do you have any thoughts on Kaepernick's decision and statement?

Gordon: Good friend of mine. I have a great respect for him. For him doing that, that's great that he did that. For him, he needed to voice his opinion and felt as though he needed to have his voice heard. I think he did it the best way he could on his stage. I could do nothing but respect that. I got no opinion on that, because that's his right. That's his right to do as an American citizen.

Will you use your position as an NFL player to make a statement like that?

Gordon: It never crossed my [mind] at the time. It never really crossed my mind until I saw him do it. Once one person does it, [it] doesn't need to be done again. I feel his point has gotten across. To support him or view it as negatively, that's up to individual people.

Do you have any thoughts on Kaepernick not standing for the national anthem and his feelings?

Griffin: My job isn’t to judge what another man feels about anything so that’s where I stand with that.

Jim Brown made some comments that he's encouraged by young African-American athletes using their stature to comment on social issues. As a quarterback, do you especially feel like you have that position?

Griffin: I think you definitely have to bring a spotlight to issues that you feel are pertinent to society. Colin Kaepernick’s stance on the American flag, I can’t judge him for that. My stance is that for me, I’m a military brat. My parents both served. My dad did 21 [years]. My mom did 13, so that represents something totally different for me. I can’t judge him on what his stance is or what his beliefs are. I can only just go about it the way I know how to.

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