LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) - Former NFL running back Jim Brown visited the 'Arsenio Hall' show earlier this week and was asked what he thought about Kobe Bryant and his return from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

While Brown said he thinks Kobe is a tremendous athlete, he also said he thinks Kobe threw Shaq under the bus when they played together with the Lakers.

Then Brown began his criticism.

"He is, somewhat confused about culture because he was brought up in another country, so it doesn't quite fit what's happening in America," said Brown. "In the days when we had a summit and we called the top black athletes together to talk to Muhammad Ali about his status with the armed forces, there were some athletes we didn't call. If I had to call that summit all over, there would be some athletes I wouldn't call.  Kobe would be one of them."

No surprise, Kobe had something to say about that.

On his twitter account he wrote:

A "Global" African American is an inferior shade to "American" African Americans?? #hmm.. that doesn't sound very #Mandela or #DrKing sir

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) December 12, 2013

He also spoke to the media on the matter after Thursday's practice.

"It surprised me in the sense that it just came out of left field.  I've never even met him," Bryant said of Brown.  "I do think it's a great opportunity to have these conversations, to have this discussion.  No matter where you come from, either you come from Italy, Inglewood or London, it doesn't matter. We have different perceptions and beliefs, clearly. What I try to do is to educate our youth no matter what color you are. It's a sensitive topic for everybody but I think the best thing to do is not dance around it."