He didn't flip anything unless you think he really doesn't care about his black teammates at all. I know what his actions have been over the last 15 years in NOLA...as do most of his teammates and people around that organization.
What he stated is why he chose to stand for the anthem while mentioning his 2 grandfathers. No actually leaders realize where they are wrong and adjust instead of heading down the wrong path. They can admit mistakes and do so openly to try and learn from it. They can adjust and move forward where as idiots who are stubborn and got their way their whole life try and make themselves out to be martyrs. Saying he should retire to age is one thing...saying nobody will respect him is you projecting because he isn't carrying your flag.....or possibly standing for it.
Your first paragraph being very true - he should not have had to change his position. His actions should have been enough that maybe others could attempt to understand his original position.