Jets' Marshall lauds Kaepernick for human rights stand

New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall praised San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Tuesday for his protest against police brutality and racial inequality, which has been the subject of national attention.

"This guy, he's one of the biggest patriots out there," Marshall, who stated in February that he'd rather not play with Kaepernick, said on WFAN, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. "Because he's standing up for human rights."

Marshall agreed with President Barack Obama's assertion that Kaepernick is exercising his constitutional right, adding that the flag is emblematic of many issues Americans face on a daily basis.

"When I look at the American flag, I see a bunch of fights. You know how much we have overcome. When you look at it, the American flag is bigger than just one thing. And you have the civil rights movement, you have sex trafficking, you have immigration law. There's so many different fights there. And we have to be aware that it's bigger than one person and one thing.

"But then there are times when that one thing trumps all. When it comes to human rights, we really have to be careful. If you believe in one thing, if you believe in mental health, that means you believe in cancer research. If you believe in cancer research, you believe in raising awareness for HIV. If you believe in standing up for gay rights, then you believe in standing up for the minorities."