San Francisco 49ers

Ray Lewis speaks about Kaepernick, Twitter speaks back

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

You’ve probably heard an opinion about Colin Kaepernick from everyone who has ever seen an American flag. You can’t go on Twitter without seeing someone shouting their thoughts from the digital rooftops. The NFL finally has something other than Deflategate to talk about and NFL players and personalities alike are weighing in on the situation. Next in line is former player and current analyst, Ray Lewis.

Ray Lewis has never had a problem speaking his mind. You’d probably expect quite the rant from the future Hall of Famer, but that surprisingly wasn’t the case. His advice to the last quarterback he’d ever beat in a game: keep the flag out of it.

“I understand what you’re trying to do…take the flag out of it.” — @raylewis to Colin Kaepernick pic.twitter.com/XPYpJ9L3mE

— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) September 8, 2016

While Lewis understood the point Kaepernick was trying to make, he believed there’s a difference between being a protestor and being an activist. Lewis cited the service of family members as his reason to why he’s such a patriot, stating you have to understand there are military members who might not come back from their service.

Lewis does make a point. It’s one thing to shout about a problem and protest the issue, and there’s another to make a meaningful stand. Lewis believes the flag and those who support it are some things that should be separated from a protest. Kaepernick has already promised to donate one million dollars to organizations that address the issues he is concerned about. He will also donate the money from his jersey sales, but will continue to keep the flag in his protest while he sits during the national anthem this season.

Even though Lewis makes strong, reasonable points, Twitter wasn’t exactly on board. You get accused of one tiny murder, and all your credibility goes out the window.

When you see “Ray Lewis” trending but then realize it’s not because he murdered anyone. pic.twitter.com/RKPefxsSIT

— Faux NFL Network™ (@FauxNFLnetwork) September 8, 2016

Didn’t he make sure someone’s family never saw them again? RT @MSchwerha: Ray Lewis on Colin Kaepernick. #NFL pic.twitter.com/LxXWHM9kx3

— King (@_Thundercleese) September 8, 2016

Every time Lewis decides to speak out about an issue, people love to give him a helpful reminder that he once stood trial for murder.