There is NO REFERENCE TO THE NATIONAL ANTHEM in the NFL rules. Fact checking would have verified that NFL players are not required to be on the field during the National Anthem.

http://www.kvue.com/news/local/verify/verify-did-the-us-govt-pay-nfl-players-to-stand-for-natl-anthem/478658938

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.

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

A better question is why should those who come together for a celebration be subjected to protests by the participants? Protests against the very country and its freedoms that allow for the celebration, and the employment of the participants.

The President doesn’t give up his rights to free speech when he takes office. Could he have been more subtle? Sure. But what he did wasn’t wrong.

Is what the players doing wrong? Depends. But it sure is stupid. Alienating more than half your fan base is a recipe for disaster.

What team does Kaepernick play for?

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.

This puts him in direct violation of 18 U.S. Code § 227 … which reads (in part):

(a) Whoever, being a covered government person, with the intent to influence, solely on the basis of partisan political affiliation, an employment decision or employment practice of any private entity—
(1) takes or withholds, or offers or threatens to take or withhold, an official act, or
(2) influences, or offers or threatens to influence, the official act of another,
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both, and may be disqualified from holding any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.

Clause (b) makes it clear that the President is one of the “covered government persons” to whom this applies.

18 U.S. Code § 227 – Wrongfully influencing a private entity’s employment decisions by a Member of Congress or an officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch

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