No. It's their freedom of expression, and not for the government or anyone else to second-guess. Well maybe it's for the fans to second-guess and vote with their dollars, but in practice I doubt that actually happens. Football is too much of an addiction for them. It's more fun to grouse about what players do or don't do during the national anthem.

I always say god, guns and country is an unholy association and the National Anthem ritual at football and baseball games is, in my view, part of that.

Army vet here, I support the ability to kneel.
I don't like the idea of everyone using a national venue to promote their ideology in a battle of opinions though (i.e.: the owners, politicians, NFL inc., etc.). This is promoting a larger divide in an already divided country.
The extreme violence used by the police reminds me of the brown shirts when the nazis began to accumulate power, and seems to be history repeating itself. The cops need to be reigned in and if they can't act in a civil manner (when needed) then fire them.
Capitalism's effects on society, we the poor, don't count nor matter.

Kneeling is the most religious act of reverence. Been a practice of adoration and sincerity throughout history. They made a Political Football of their own Bigoted Imagination.

I am not in the military, but I think many people don’t understand the protest. The protest isn’t against the flag, or against the country or against those who have served. The protest is highlighting that in the great nation of the USA, racism is killing American citizens- mainly African Americans and Latinos- who incidentally make up a huge proportion of the military . I can remember another NFL player taking the knee because he was Pro-Life and was protesting abortion in the USA. He wasn’t punished.

I'm English living in Australia. Neither cultures would give a rats arse either way. Sounds like over sensitive paranoia.

It's interesting there is exactly one subgroup of white Republicans who find it more offencive to object to kneeling then to kneel. That subgroup of white Republicans is white Republican veteran

No. Tim Tebow did it long before the current Trump=provoked issue arose, and no one said a thing.

Just shout

"Lift Every Voice and Sing"

Confuse the fuq out of people

And It's a better Anthem by far.

Not in the least.

For thousands of years kneeling has been a sign of respect. When did the opinion of a bunch of redneck racists get the power to set such a tradition aside ?

When I first saw Colin take a knee a thought it was brilliant. What a perfect way to peacefully protest the deplorable way people of color have been treated in this country. And then the backlash. Apparently, they were supposed to ask "permission "from the powers that be what would be acceptable to them. Granted I am not in the military (but have had family members who were), but I never remember hearing that the anthem was only for the military. It is not disrespectful if that isn't the intention. I can assure you, none of those people screaming about this are standing at home when they hear the anthem. It is just another badly disguised form of racism.

They can take an elbow for all I care. If it does something for them, good for them. It's the same as me not bowing my head when someone prays. It's a matter of respect in what others do, and respecting me for what I do.

It is fine with me when people take a knee. I have some knowledge of how some police treat some people. In the early 80's I had a job typing reports for law enforcement officers. I heard racial slurs every day. Some of the cops had terrible attitudes towards women, LGBT, the working poor, the unemployed poor, etc. etc. etc. I toughed out that truly terrible job for 21 truly terrible months and quit, even though official unemployment stats were in the double digits. I learned some painful, horrific lessons ... and so ... it is fine with me when athletes and other people take a knee. It is a peaceful protest. I support protesting injustice.

Protocol, protocol, protocol. Isn't that what our government been feeding us for so long?

I have no issue and even admire those who do. Though, I can understand why some may not like it and even support the NFL not allowing it.

No problem at all.

I did in the very beginning, but now I do not care what they do. They have so much money it wouldn't matter if they gave the finger. And every body that disagrees with all of this just makes me think what good is our constitution if everyone does their own thing. This subject is only a part in what we want to change, but there will be more subjects to come to a head that will start corruption. For most this is a control issue, and it never seems to end.....

NO

If the owners can make hundreds of millions of dollars displaying sports on TV then the players can use the same venue to get a point across that is important to them and society. maybe if TV would give airtime to that particular subject then this could be avoided. People in other countries disrespect our flag and we do nothing about it. ijs The flag is just a piece of cloth. The true meaning lies in our hearts and minds where no one knows how we really feel about it.

I have no issues with it.
I think it's a peaceful way to bring light, or awareness, or whatever you want to call it, to a very serious issue.
Is it disrespectful? Maybe a little.
But it's far more peaceful and far less disrespectful than the issue it's trying to protest.

Yes i need both of mine to walk

Not on their own time. but when you are being paid millions to do a job and then take advantage of where you are in that frame of time, then yes, i take issue with it. do your damn job and don't let political leanings get in the way of it.

Personally, it goes against my own values.
But, this is the land of the free.....

No, I haven't.

But I am offended by young black men being gunned down in the street just for being black.

No, people are allowed their own opinions last time i looked it was a fairly free country nad we don't owe allegiance to anybody it is earned just like every other - I am not in your country so can't really speak about this aspect but I hope that everyone has the freedom to express their views as they wish non violently and to not be penalised for what they think feel or act.