Joe ‘surprised’ by Ditka remark on oppression

and told my mother about it. That’s the first time I learned that there was that kind of feeling between people. There are still people that were raised a certain way, that carry dislike for others. To me, it’s not healthy. I wish the people with anger and lack of respect for others, (all) because a way a person looks, walks, talks — get rid of it.”

Namath said that while he personally will “always stand” for the national anthem — “I honor the country, I honor our flag,” he said — he supports NFL players kneeling during the anthem, an issue that has been at the forefront of the NFL this season. Namath added that he thinks when quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his former 49ers teammate Eric Reid knelt during the anthem last year, the two players “weren’t disrespecting the flag.”

“To each his own, in a sense,” said Namath. “Unless you’ve walked in a black man’s shoes, you don’t know what they’ve gone through in a lifetime. Things aren’t always right. There are still the animals out there that hold some kind of resentment. In this modern era, you’ve got to question what’s happening here. Let’s get it straightened out, let’s get some answers.”

But Namath didn’t take umbrage with President Trump, who has lashed out at NFL players who kneel during the national anthem. “He’s entitled to feel the way he wants,” said Namath. “Some people lose their poise a little bit now and then. I’ve lost mine sometimes, too.” AP