RatGMAN Loc: SE Pennsylvania

You knew what you signed up for and you must have enjoyed doing it or you wouldn't have re-upped so many times. Your swearing to support and defend the Constitution wasn't about just some of the people, it was about all of us, rich & poor, black & white, city folks and farmers, veterans and conscientious objector, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Agnostic and Atheist, Democrat, Republican & Independent, ALL OF US! It's something this divisive president doesn't understand. It seems like something you missed in your citizenship classes? It's what really makes this country GREAT! ALL OF US!!!

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

Thank you for the excellent article on the Star Spangled Banner. And because of what the NFL players did yesterday and some with the blessings of the owners, I am no longer going to watch football. Obviously the whole league seems to feel it is ok to disgrace the song. Whole they want to excersie the free speech, I will excersie my right not to support the league.

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

I have not fact checked this, but I hear tv viewing has dropped 8% from 2015 to 2016.
I am not officially not going to watch any more NFL games.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I just saw it on line. Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, linked up with his team, and knelt before the National Anthem in Arizona, vs the Cardinals. I am quite familiar with the Dallas Cowboys going back decades. Jerry Jones is a patriotic American. Very rich business man too. That fantastic stadium in Dallas is one he had built. He is in the Football Hall Of Fame too for his contributions to the game. And I can tell you, that Jerry Jones is not Anti-Military. Whatsoever. Oh. The Dallas Cowboys nickname is "America's Team." For many decades.

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

I am doing the same as you. I agree with your comments.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

WHEN WAS IT THAT YOU DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS IN A ELECTION. GOOD PEOPLE WONT RUN ANY MORE, IT'S TOO BAD.

joegim Loc: Long Island, NY

Why didn't Kaepernick & others comes out with specific issues and have constructive suggestions for addressing these issues. Instead they come across as whining pre-pubescent spoiled toddlers. The freedom of speech issue is BS. This is about acceptable behavior in the workplace. And the reason most players go along is peer pressure and fear of being ostracised by others. By the way Pittsburgh Steeler Alejandro Villanueva ALONE decided to go out of the dugout and stand on the field during the national anthem. He's an Army Ranger who served three tours in Afghanistan. By signing with the NFL these players agreed to abide with the rules. One of the rules is:

"The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem. During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses."

Today I just got fired from my job because during a staff meeting with the VP I decided to take a knee instead of sitting down like the others because of certain issues I personally would have liked to address ! ;)

RatGMAN Loc: SE Pennsylvania

WRONG WRONG WRONG - This is "FAKE NEWS" at it's worst. Here's what the "rule" really is.....

Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, told The Sporting News in March that “the league didn’t discuss setting a standard protocol for all players during the pregame playing of the anthem.”

That Sporting News story said Vincent told Vic Carucci and Alex Marvez: “Frankly, the players have that right. They’re asked (to stand), but not required.”

When former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat down during the playing on the national anthem last year, the NFL issued this statement said the same thing: “Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the national anthem.”

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

I just googled this, and you are exactly right, that's exactly what it says, but the nfl does not have to take any action, but they have a right to!

PH CIB

I spent a year in Viet Nam with the 173rd Airborne Paratroopers and saw extensive Combat,,,,serving with Blacks,,,Hispanics,,,Whites and they were All some of the Bravest Soldiers and Finest Men I ever knew,,,,while I agree that Black Lives Matter,,,, All Lives Matter,,,,Disrespecting Our Flag and the National Anthem and the Black and Hispanic and White Soldiers Who died for that Flag and that Anthem and Our Country is not the way to protest and is dividing our Country and actually making things worse,,,,I will never watch an NFL Football game again....Alejandro Villanueva is a TRUE HERO,,,,,THE NFL CAN GO TO HELL.....When I see the Flag I see the Faces of the Men I saw Killed and Wounded and the over one Million Americans who Died for that Flag and our Freedoms,,,,I believe in Freedom of Speech and Expression but I believe there should be a Law against desecrating Our Flag and Our National Anthem,,,it would be interesting if those Football Players served in Combat to find out their opinions then if they survived it,,,and Yes Our Government is and has been a Major Part of the Problem,,,,Divide and Conquer....This is What that Flag and that Anthem are all about.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omd9_FJnerY

kensuhh

Do not park on a channel that shows anything related to the NFL!Do not support the spoiled rich athletes who believe it is o.k. They do have the right to protest,so do we.We the people pay their salaries.Lets choose not to.Also do not purchase the products they endorse.Support lesser known products.We too have rights.Bless all who have and do serve.Thank you.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

It is time for you to use the quote reply button so we know whom you are addressing, just a little courtesy.

dragonswing Loc: Pa

They can exercise their rights off the playing field. People go/watch to see the game of football, not have to be involved in political/social statements. Look how many people have been in trouble/fired for something they said which offended someone else or was considered racist. Where was their freedom of speech rights?

omar

I do not see how not standing for the anthem says fu to the military when that person, or his father, or brother, or sister
served or is serving in the military, and those that came back were and are still treated as lesser citizens- this is not about
disrespecting anything, it is about calling attention to the inequalities of treatment of Americans based on their color. Some people
are choosing this way of calling attention because it seems to them that nobody is listening, and they think that because
the same thing keeps happening, and again a black person is dead. There is always more than one side to any argument- try,
honestly, to look at this from the point of view of a black person, and again, honestly,
how many white unarmed people were killed by police for a busted taillight?

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

A few more than Black but it never makes the news.