Where is that rule exactly? Not in this rule book: http://operations.nfl.com/media/2646/2017-playing-rules.pdf

I thinks Mr. Runft got duped by the Internet: http://www.snopes.com/must-nfl-players-stand/

Thank you for your research!

On Sunday I took a knee and did not watch any games. I am a huge NFL fan and while distressed about my decision to alter my decades long Sunday routines, I survived. Yes, I only hurt myself and the NFL will survive, but this is a matter of principle.

I noticed that Mrs. Eagle Writer was not unhappy with my stance…

Then the rule conflicts with an individual’s first amendment rights.

EDITOR NOTE–It’s a condition of employment. If you check the rules of employment for Boise coppers, they forego their 5th amendment rights as a condition of employment, hence the ombudsman has to wait until potential criminal charges are no longer pending before he can interview officers. Bumper stickers are “free speech,” but not on public vehicles.

“it appears the prez may be right about his opinions”

Which opinions would those be, Guardian?

Trust me Runft is not a idiot. Had some issues yes… but also was the lawyer for George Hansen if I remember. Mr. Guardian correct me if I am wrong but didn’t Runft go all the way to the supreme court and get Congressman Hansen conviction on ethic law violations overturned? At my age my memory might be fading. Trust me Runft is no idiot.

EDITOR NOTE–Porc, you are correct about Runft. However, the REST of the story on Hansen is not so pretty. From Wikipedia: “In 1984 Hansen was convicted of violating the 1978 Ethics in Government Act. He had failed to disclose $334,000 in personal loans to his campaign. He was sentenced to six months in prison and fined $40,000. Appealing all the way to the US Supreme Court, his conviction was vacated and the fine returned to him.

But by 1992, Hansen was in prison again on charges of defrauding two Idaho banks and 100 individuals in a $30 million investment scheme. He was sentenced to four years in prison.”

Prior to 2009 players stayed in the locker room until after the anthem was played. In 2009 the DOD became an NFL advertiser. Paying the NFL millions of taxpayer dollars in the process. Part of the,arrangement was to have players on the sidelines for the anthem.

NFL? Runft? He writes a letter and makes news?

Should is not a directive. What if you’re standing there and your knees are in casts.

This stand, kneel issue is a non issue. The NFL is not the group making waves.

EDITOR NOTE–The fact so many are talking about it, the Prez is involved, etc. make it news. The eclipse wasn’t “news.” We knew for years that it was coming and where it could be seen. The next one will look the same.

Mr. Runft, “Coast Guard” is two words.

Your letter, in my opinion, is disrespectful to the U.S. Coast Guard- since you didn’t take the time to recognize it and write it correctly.
Your use and text of our military in that letter is more disrespectful than someone choosing not to salute the U.S. Flag.

Your text of “U.S, Mail” is also incorrect. You make an incorrect reference to the “NFL league rulebook” Therefore, your actual statement is a lie. You are not even using correct capitalization in that title, as well as other spots in the letter. That letter is about par for Trump tweets- at least your accepting audience will not know the difference.

Your writing skills are terrible, especially for an attorney!
You’re fired! (or not hired as the case may be).

EDITOR NOTE–We will post your comment, but please don’t troll on the GUARDIAN.

Honoring the Anthem.

There is NOTHING that “demands” a person to “honor” our National Anthem. That is why it is called ‘honor’.

Next time you see an audience while the Anthem is being played, please do not be so quick to to judge others.

There are many cases where one does not salute the U.S. Flag or recognize the Anthem.

For example, some by matter of religious principle do not salute the Flag. First Amendment- and affirmed by the Supreme Court.

There may be someone in the audience who is not an American Citizen and therefore would not salute or “honor” the Anthem or Flag the same as a US citizen.

Or there may be someone who is just uninformed and doesn’t know whether to do so or not.

Or they are choosing to exercise their freedom to do nothing.

Do what you feel is right.
This is “the land of the free”.

Pittsburg Steeler tackle, Alejandro Villanueva, a former Army Ranger, did just that when he stepped outside the locker room to offer his respect during the Anthem this past weekend. He was not on the sideline.

Russia fines people for mocking their Anthem; this is not Russia.

Let’s ALL understand *proper etiquette* and then go from there.

To call someone an SOB, or to react at all, for someone not following standard etiquette during the Anthem is childish and MORE disrespectful, of another person, than the initial action.
Unity is better than being divisive.

EDITOR NOTE–Amen! You don’t have to be a believer to stand while others pray at a public event. It would be rude to remain seated (taking a knee however could be taken as a positive sign) :-).

As a condition of employment? It isn’t that basic. Can the Rooneys make the Steelers say a Hail Mary before the game in the locker room? No. It is situational and you don’t check your rights when you enter employment. If there are over riding aspects, public money and bumper stickers on police cars, rights can be restricted. Standing on the sideline of a monopolized industry does not create a need for craven obedience.

EDITOR NOTE–No arguments here. Take a look at the comment from HH, our PRO SE counsel. She makes an interesting case.

HH
After watching the PBS Vietnam series tell me which President during the war didn’t break this law?

PORC–I ordered in extra copies of my Vietnam book,

DRAFTED! Vietnam at War and at Peace.

Call the number on my DRFPHOTO.COM website for your copy.

Why must we endure a propaganda pledge and/or flag-waving song just to watch a simple ballgame?

“Patriotism is, fundamentally, a conviction that a particular country is the best in the world because you were born in it….”
― George Bernard Shaw

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.– Samuel Johnson

One of the great attractions of patriotism–it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat, Bully and cheat, what’s more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous. – Aldous Huxley

At the bottom of all patriotism is war: that is why I am no patriot. – Jules Renard

Treason is in the air around us everywhere. It goes by the name of patriotism. – Thomas Corwin

As a young cub scout I had the honor of carrying the American Flag in the Dairy Days Parade in Meridian in early 1970’s. I will never forget the countless elderly men who labored to get out of their lawn chairs to stand straight and salute the nations flag as it went by. Many had not only served but has lost brothers and friends who had given their lives allow then them the freedom to stand and salute.

On another occasion as I was able to tour George Washington’s home at Mt Vernon. A great feeling came over me as I saw the flag behind his desk. To this day I have no doubt that he had great reverence for both the flag and the this great land it represents.

About two years ago a very close friend who flew in B-17’s and B-24’s over Germany passed away.
It took 10 years of knowing him for him to share with me the memory of waiting to take off on a runway in England with 100 other B-17’s. As he sat in that airplane he knew that of the 100 planes only 60 would return. That day 300 would die and they knew it. He and every other airman were prepared to give their lives that day and every other day they took off.

As I see the flag I stand. As I see the flag or hear the anthem of this great nations I place my hand over my heart in tribute to those who have given everything to allow me the freedom to go out each day and do whatever I please in this free land.

Every time I see the flag I feel the pride of those from the founding fathers to the young Cub Scouts who are learning about the flag and the country today from my son who serves as their den leader.

I thank God daily for all those who have sacrificed to create, build and maintain this great land. May we forget ourselves and think only of what others have done and sacrificed for us for us. And if nothing else thank them by standing and saluting the flag they fought for and gave so much to defend.