I do not respect any symbol.

I'm a nontheist. But I have read many of the worlds religious tomes. The Biblical commandment about 'no graven image before me' -- not many people understand what to grave means. It is in the dictionary. A cross, star of David, a pulpit, a flag, a sport icon are all graven images. The idea was to not create nationalistic ideals in religion but for it to be a more personal thing. That is one commandment that has failed completely. It is fun to explain graven image to those hawking crosses, statues, pictures (?), necklaces, etc... You can see their eyes glaze over trying to think...

I don't respect either. One is a scrap or cloth and the other is a song. People deserve respect not objects.

I have traveled the world over many times, lived in other countries and NO other country has so many of their own counties flag flying than America....like it's some patriotic brain washing or something....I respect it, but there aint no U.S. flag ANY where in my house, car, clothes....nothing.

Do people here genuinely think kneeling during the anthem in the NFL is a 1A issue? That's the angle many pundits are taking.

The NFL as a private company decided to have standards for how it's employees behave at work. Heck I've worked places you could be fired for what you did outside of work even if it wasn't criminal.

I'm a combat vet, I didn't think kneeling was disrespectful of the military. Actually I thought it was a peaceful and respectful protest and enjoyed some of the conversations that provoked.

The NFL depends on it's customers, just like any business. We can despise the blind patriotism (IMO blind patriotism is an oxymoron) common in sports fans, but that's not going to change anything.

The NFL has chosen a standard at work, and if I'm reading things correctly isn't remotely claiming it will consequence employees who support or participate in protests outside of the NFL. I can disagree with their decisions and not give them money, but I've boycotted all sports forever bc it's BORING. As far as I can see, this has nothing to do with rights or the 1A.

Sidenote, IDGAF about sports. This guy Colin is probably the only current footballer I can name. Several years ago a friend challenged me to name 5 NFL players of all time, it only took me an hour but I won a shot of whiskey!

TOTALLY AGREE - I will kneel in the stands and hope NFL fans do the same. The NFL Owners made a bad decisiion and I hope it bites them in the ass.

Yes! A thousand times, Yes!!

Thank you for posting this wonderful statement.