They're welcome to have their opinions of what the flag represent.  They can do what they want with it, too.  But, to me, I listen to what the person says and not some generalized opinion from someone else.

Kaepernick?  The guy's a fool, in my opinion.  He can kneel all he wants, but I won't respect his cause because I've seen nothing more than a personal beef and no sacrifice of his own life towards that cause.  I think I've read that he's starting to do positive things, but I'm unsure of that.  If I see it, my opinion will likely change.  A guy like Brandon Marshall is different, to me.

I, like some (many? most?), hitch my wagon based on hearing what the person standing up (or kneeling down) has to say, not some impression I make up about them. 

Appearance matters only to the audience demographic.  One will be offended by Kaepernick, side with the President even though our own President worked his tail off NOT to serve in the military.  To me, that's disrespectful.