Jets WR Brandon Marshall defends Colin Kaepernick, calls him a 'patriot'

Jets wideout Brandon Marshall defends Colin Kaepernick as a 'patriot' amid his national anthem protest.

New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall defended San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in his right to sit during the playing of the national anthem, saying that Kaepernick is a "patriot" for his stance. 

Marshall said he will stand during the anthem for the team's season opener, but disagreed with WFAN radio host Boomer Esiason, who criticized Kaepernick last week. 

"You're 100% wrong. This guy, he's one of the biggest patriots out there," Marshall said, who was a guest on WFAN. "Because he's standing up for human rights."  

"I think President Obama said it best: That's his constitutional right," Marshall added. "But I do think this is very thought-provoking for all. "I think that the message was a little diluted because of how much respect a lot of us have for those that served. … [They] gave us our freedoms, fought for our freedoms. But the message was clear."

Kaepernick has said he will continue to sit during the anthem until there is significant change in this country and will donate $1 million to organizations to help fight for social change.

- Scooby Axson