I think the players have a right to protest, and I don't think they should go to jail for doing it. Personally, I think that would be a violation of their First Amendment rights. Part of what defines the United States is the ability to express one's opinion, no matter how objectionable, and that applies to everyone.
I also think the team owners and NFL executives have a right to run their business how they see fit in order to keep it profitable. And the fans have a right to express their disapproval of the behavior of the people whom they have paid to entertain them. Americans may be guaranteed the right to free expression and to petition the government, but nowhere in the Constitution is anyone guaranteed the right to keep their job. You can say whatever you want...you just have to realize that you may end up penniless doing so. It's up to each individual to decide how commited they are to their "cause".
Finally, I think the players have made a very poor choice of how and when to protest. The Star Spangled Banner is not the anthem of the police. It's not the anthem of the judicial system, the military or the government. It is the anthem of the American people. The free and the brave people who make up all of those institutions. It represents all Americans, including the players themselves. It represents the very freedom the players are exercising in order to protest and the people who have died to protect that freedom and those who continue to do so. The players can say they do not intend to disrespect the country or our soldiers all they want. But, that's exactly what many Americans feel they are doing...including me. I find it distasteful at best and disgraceful at worst.
...But I'd still die to protect their right to do it.
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