Terry Bradshaw Comments on National Anthem Protests and Religion

Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw stated Tuesday he's unhappy with the rise in protests involving the United States' national anthem, which have occurred across the sports spectrum, and he also lamented the perceived backlash when people talk about Jesus Christ.

Eric Scheiner of CNSNews.com passed along comments the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers star, who currently works as an analyst for Fox Sports, made on Fox News' Fox & Friends about the public statement some athletes have made by refusing to stand for the national anthem in recent months. 

"I do have a problem when people in this country don't respect our flag and national anthem," Bradshaw said. "All you got to do is look around—this country's getting worse and worse and more and more immoral, and we're rotting from within."

He also discussed the generic label of being "religious" rather than talking directly about Jesus, expressing his belief that the latter could negatively impact a person in a high-profile position:

"

All great empires die from within. We can't talk about Jesus. We can't mention that anymore. So we say 'I'm religious' - because if we say Jesus, you automatically are pigeonholed and kicked off the desk.

You can't talk about it. The two vice presidential guys are going at it and they are both saying what? 'We're religious.' What does that mean - you're religious? Everybody is religious.

"

Freedom of expression has been a hot-button topic ever since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick opted against standing for the national anthem during the NFL preseason. He's continued the protest into the regular season, and several others have since joined his effort.

Kaepernick explained his decision to Steve Wyche of NFL.com in August. The 28-year-old veteran is working to place a spotlight on the issues of racial injustice and police violence.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick said. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

The support of his cause has continued to amplify as basketball season nears. Liam Quinn of the DailyMail.com spotlighted the Toronto Raptors' preseason protest, and University of Virginia guard London Perrantes showcased his team's effort to use their "platform to help create change."