Should Football Players Stand For The National Anthem

First off, kneeling during the National Anthem is unpatriotic. This is the greatest country in the world. It gives everyone who comes here an opportunity in life, and the right to pursue a life of happiness. It is crazy to think Americas finest football players will still disrespect our Anthem. This problem has gotten so big that even our president has had strong words concerning the issue. President Trump has taken to twitter multiple times saying how unpatriotic it is. Also, how it should be illegal and players who are choosing to kneel should leave the NFL. With that being said, there are still NFL players who stand in support of the Anthem. Some coaches do not allow players to stand alone, like Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Instead these players they hide in the locker room during the Anthem. In my opinion,

In 2017 controversy struck when the NFL tried “taking a stance” and protesting the National Anthem. In this protest, many NFL players one by one knelt down while the National Anthem played at their sporting event. The National Anthem is a song for our country and symbol to represent all of the men and women who have fought in our military. This song is not played just for our entertainment, it is to honor the flag and what it stands for. The protesting was started by Colin Kaepernick, last season, when he was the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He was the first player to take a knee during the playing of the National Anthem, now many other NFL players this season are following in his path and doing the same thing. Many players and viewers claim it is for police brutality and the injustice that is being served, while other viewers see it as entitled millionaires disrespecting the flag and the military. Everyone has different opinions on the issue, but no matter what the country needs to respect one another as humans and be united; the American Flag is a symbol of our freedom and the NFL needs to recognize the National Anthem rather than kneeling and disrespecting what it stands for.

In my opinion I believe that it is up to you whether you stand for the national anthem or kneel down. America is about freedom of speech and self expression. Punishing NFL players for honoring their beliefs will just start a whole nother issue getting many unneeded people involved. This protest seems harmless to me, they believe that there are racial injustices and kneeling to the flag during the national anthem is like them praying for help for America not disrespecting it.

The current debate over kneeling or sitting in protest during the national anthem to protest police brutality was ignited by Kaepernick in 2016, and later adopted by many other professional football players, high school athletes, and professional athletes in other sports, all who have refused to stand for the national anthem. These protests have created disagreement and sparked a public conversation race, police brutality, the flag and if the NFL is the best forum for to protest such issue. Colin Kaepernick has since said “he’s not protesting the flag but police brutality against African Americans. www.Procon.org

So why would people stand for the anthem of a country that we know very little about, they may be oppressive to people of color too. We do it to show the world we are respectful people, and it is their anthem, whether we agree with the things they do, we should be respectful of that country and the people competing in the Olympics. All countries have some problems, and some people may not be treated unfairly, but we are not the ones to disrespect them during an Olympic performance. Too many times things are blown out of proportion through the media, so I would not disrespect someone because of something I saw or heard on the radio or television. Unless you are there you do not know all the facts of a situation. The only way we can make a difference is be there for each other and show our respect for this great country by standing for the national anthem. Respect is the one thing you can give freely and is always appreciated. You are telling the world that out of respect you are standing. Respect for a country that is united in times of need, free, and democratic. Just as you show elder people respect by being there for them. We are there for our country. The flag is a symbol of freedom, the song was written to commemorate an outstanding military victory, where we worked together and stood united to defend our country. So really standing during the song is not really too much to ask. It is done out of respect for a nation that has given so many so much. Remember when you are standing and listening to that anthem the many people that have lost their lives for that flag and as long as we stay united, then the bonds of this country become stronger. So show your respect for our country, our flag, our anthem and the world will see how truly strong this nation really

This act of kneeling down should be considered as an act of patriotic criticism, rather than a betrayal of the nation. After all, patriotism does not mean that we should love and support everything that the government conducts, but rather we should criticize for the greater good of the government, so that it could improve. Government could only improve, if they can hear the voice from the people. Only after accepting the criticism can one improve. Therefore, the focus of such protest in the NFL should be why they protested, instead of the act of protesting. After all,

Should NFL players be permitted to kneel at the national anthem? Some players that have defied team rules have been kicked off teams for kneeling. However, some advocate that this is a good way for the players to express their political views. Although these players are role models for kids of all ages, their actions imply that you can disrespect the flag, our American anthem, and our current military soldiers and veterans. NFL players should not be permitted to kneel at the national anthem because it is disrespecting our flag and military and violates team rules.

Countless people worldwide have different opinions on the National Anthem protest in the NFL. Some people think it’s a good idea of protest and agree with what those players are protesting for, some people are just hard headed and don’t want to look at the bigger picture and just call it outright disrespectful to the flag and the military. A large number of people find it appropriate and support what those players are fighting for because they are exercising their first amendment right, and that shows how educated someone is. People also support this protest because it is very peaceful and is not resulting in a harmful way that endangers people. The National Anthem protest is an extremely appropriate form of protest, because it gives athletes the chance to perform an act that can have them killed or punished extremely in other countries.

Americans have been standing for the National Anthem since 1891. This tradition started in the military, before The Star Spangled Banner became the National Anthem. Players in the NFL weren’t always required to stand on the sideline for the Anthem; it became a regular occurrence for players and teams to stand in 2009. Recently, many teams and players in the NFL have disrespected the flag and the unity within the country that is portrayed in the song. They do this by kneeling, sitting, and not coming out of the locker room during the playing of the National Anthem. All American citizens should always stand for the National Anthem, in respect for the flag and for the men and women who fought for the freedom we have.

Have you ever watched a football game and wondered why some of the athletes were kneeling during the national anthem. Well if you didn't know they are kneeling to protest racism and injustice in this country. They are getting a mix of support and persecution at the same time which shows the country is at a complete divide. In this case persecution is just not the right way handle the situation.This country was set up and built upon a core value such as freedom of speech so why take that away now. Athletes have the same right to freedom of speech as an other normal paid person so they should be able to use it. Athletes should be allowed to peacefully protest the national anthem because the first amendment says so and guarantees free speech to all americans no matter who they are football players included, They have a voice on a national stage a should be able to utilize it, and just because their salary is higher than most people their opinion still.

I think that the players in the NFL need to stand for the Anthem. America keeps us safe and we all need to respect our country. Some of these sports players have the biggest influence on us and there are many kids that may look up to them. These kids are influenced spin these players actions. But then I think I can see why some people kneel during the Anthem. Let’s use African Americans for example, they haven’t always had their rights in the U.S and sometimes aren’t always treated fairly because of racism. Maybe they don’t respect the flag because they feel like America has disrespected them. But here’s what I think should happen to the people who kneel. Each player that kneels should either have a two game suspension or be fined. For

I do not think NFL athletes should be required to stand and participate in the national anthem. I think NFL players should be allowed to “take a knee” if that

Usually the National Anthem is performed when attending graduations, football, basketball, baseball games and more. Everyone is expected to stand during the time the song is being played. But if one chooses not to stand there is no problem with that. Being that Americans should not be forced to stand for the National Anthem because of the high rates of police brutality against blacks, it displays racism towards blacks, and this is a way individuals can exercise their freedom of speech.

The National Anthem represents or allegiance and dedication to our country. Our National Anthem is what our great country stands for and kneeling for it is wrong. It stands for pride, honor, courage and commitment and kneeling strikes a serious nerve in the hearts and souls of several Americans. Free speech is not freedom from consequences. When players protest people can see that as disrespecting our country and flag and all the American patriots. The protests put peer pressure on the players to take sides during the Anthem that should be uniting them. Protesting is like a slap to the face to those who risk their lives for our country or lost loved ones doing so. Not one law has changed by the players refusing to stand, there is no measureable successful outcome. The players have gotten the okay from some people to protest but the Americans who view the song with respect to America and the ill-mannered actions are taken personal. Kneeling during the National Anthem is the wrong action at the wrong time. Protesting during the National Anthem is not the to disrespect the country because when a person hears the National Anthem, we are to think of the brave men and women who gave us freedom. Players can protest but should be prepared to face consequences for their actions. The consequences should not hurt or harm the person who is protesting but there should be some form of punishment that is safe yet purposely

Secondly, There is no rule in the NFL rulebook about standing for the National Anthem. But the game operation manual does. Which states, “..all player must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.” The NFL isn’t forcing players to stand because that would be illegal. According to the Seton