How many of know you that Francis Scott Key was a slave owner and a white Supremacist. So It is easily argued that the anthem is an insult not just to blacks,but any thinking person and if the US thinks it is so righteous, why does it keep an anthem written by such a person. So IMO, it is an insult not to take a knee.

Good luck with that one!

As a privet business on their own property they can regulate and make sure rules for their employees. It is not an oppression of their First Amendment Rights because it their business and their property. It is no different than when your employer makes certain topic forbidden to talk about. As example how much you get paid. Many employers will fire you if you discuss how much you are paid to other employees. With that being said as an ex-military man I didn’t take offence to keeling during the National Anthem. I saw them exercising their Frist Amendment Rights which is what I and my fellow military brothers and sisters fought/fight to protect. I have seen much worse that is offensive to me then keeling during a song. Like Memorial Day Sales; I see them is disrespectful to my fallen brothers and sisters. It is supposed to be a time of reflection and remembrance for the fallen not a “get a great deal on a new sofa” or “our blowout sale on a new bed”.

Remember, the only reason the anthem is played is that the Pentagon pays for it as a recruitment tool.
If the Pentagon stopped paying for it we would never hear it again.
It has nothing to do with patriotism.
Kneeling for it, on the other hand, is very meaningful and respectful to those of us that get brutalized by the police.

Hey I wonder what would happen if everyone in the stands would kneel, you know expressing their right of freedom along with the $100 admission price to get into the damned game.

I'm hoping for a reverse effect where we'll see empty sidelines for these festivities.

This is just so much bullshit. The owners are caving to 45 and the fans that have said they'll boycott.
Nothing like forcing "patriotism" by threatening the livelihoods of people.
I don't care how much money the players make, their employers really have no
right to force them to exhibit any kind of "reverence" for a stupid fucking song, that
actually means nothing. Just like the flag. They're nothing but symbols, which at this
point, mean next to nothing.
Personally, I haven't recited the Pledge, or stood for the anthem, in a very long time.
I won't do it regardless of who has a problem with it.
It has nothing to do with respect, and everything to do with politics.

Totally against the spirit of the first amendment.

The ban is offensive to me. Freedom is making silent protest, or even loud protest. Taking a knee is a very respectful protest, and to ban that only invites less respect. I feel nothing good will come of this decision.

I think ALL players should stay in the locker room, OR come out with black duct tape across their mouths since their perfectly legal protest is being subverted. I become increasingly worried that we're well down the slippery slope to fascism.

I got roundly slagged off for saying this on here once before but I'll say it again. Taking a knee in protest to an injustice (perceived or actual) is, to me, perfectly acceptable. It's not disrespecting any aspect of America it is in fact paying the American's and the country a huge compliment that you have a society that enables you to protest at all. There are many countries where you would....'disappear' for such an act.

There is absolutely NO reason for the damn anthem to be played at sporting events. None.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the NFL Players Association will do

I smell a lawsuit a'comin'

This is a phony issue, created by Trump. Kneeling is a sign of deference and respect. As a veteran and native southerner, I say that those who want to make an issue of this are bigots andirrational right wing reactionaries.

Whichever way you stand on it the ban appears to have no teeth. Read the following excerpts:

1. The fining or punishment of players and other personnel would be dictated by the individual teams.
2. The measure mandates that players who are on the field must stand for the national anthem but can remain in the locker room if they choose.

I hope the fan is not the entertainment on a pro football game.

This is so messed up. Kneeling is kneeling.

The land of the unfree.

Can they really do that? I think anyone wanting to knell should do it anyway