Sport Mike Ditka Clarifies Remarks on Oppression

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Critics Slam Ditka For 'No Oppression In The Last 100 Years' Claim

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Joe Namath disagrees with Mike Ditka’s comments about oppression

Mike Ditka is hearing a rebuttal from none other than Broadway Joe himself. In an appearance Tuesday on Fox News, legendary New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath disagreed with Ditka’s recent comments claiming that there was no oppression in modern society.“Going back to what Colin Kaepernick initially did, it was to point out some injustice that’s being done to the black race,” said Namath, per John Bowden of The Hill. “Or to people that obviously when you look — and I say obviously, some of these dash cams and shootings that were done to unarmed people.

Ditka clarifies remark downplaying oppression . Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka issued a statement Tuesday night clarifying comments he made in regards to NFL players choosing to kneel during the playing of the national anthem.

Mike Ditka clarifies remarks : 'I have absolutely seen oppression '. Dusty Baker sticking with Tanner Roark as illness, 'AC' and 'mold' affecting team. NLDS Game 4 of Nats-Cubs rained out, set to play Wednesday.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka clarified comments he made on Monday when he said that the country has not seen oppression in the last 100 years.

Ditka's comments on Westwood One were quickly met with criticism when he was asked about how much oppression is seen.

"All of a sudden, it's become a big deal now, about oppression," Ditka said in the radio interview. "There has been no oppression in the last 100 years that I know of. Now maybe I'm not watching it as carefully as other people.

The 77-year-old former coach and tight end also said that if players don't respect the country, they should go somewhere else to play football.

"The characterization of the statement that I made does not reflect the context of the question that I was answering and certainly does not reflect my views throughout my lifetime," Ditka said in a statement. "I have absolutely seen oppression in society in the last 100 years and I am completely intolerant of any discrimination. The interview was about the NFL and the related issues. That's where my head was at. I was quoted in the interview stating, 'You have to be colorblind.' I stated that you should look at a person for what they are and not the color of their skin. I'm sorry if anyone was offended."

Ditka said he would bench any player that would take a knee during the national anthem following comments made by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, when he said that players on his team would not play if they disrespected the flag.

This article was originally published on SI.com