[jplarson]

Yeah, and I think the players should be on the field for it.

Ideally everyone should feel moved to show their support by standing at attention for the national anthem.  I recognize  that how I view the flag and what it stands for is not equally shared by all.  Marginalized groups in this country see the flag and view it as something they don't get to equally share in.  Behind the flag are the patriots who helped found the country, service members who helped preserve it, and citizens from all walks of life past and present who help make this country what it is.  The founding document for our country states in part:

"all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

I think there are groups in this country that do not enjoy the unalienable right of life and liberty.  So when people protest by kneeling during the presentation of the national anthem, they are exercising their right to alter a form of government they view as destructive to those ends.  It makes me sad and makes me wish our country wasn't in a situation where people felt this was necessary.  But I think we are and if I have to be put outside my comfort zone to see it, then I grow as a person and maybe I can help make this country a place where people don't feel marginalized.  

I recognize my opinion is not shared by all and I welcome challenges to this viewpoint.  It makes me introspective and ensure I'm not speaking from ignorance or stupidity.

The fact that the NFL was paid by the military to make it more patriotic is WAY overlooked.
It's about money, as is everything else these days.

Paid patriotism is gross and adds to a cynicism I struggle with.  Good point to mention.

They have the right to speak about anything they want to speak about, but there is not freedom from repercussions.

Agreed and I think people need to recognize (for example) that if I say something like "the Packers stink" doesn't mean I won't get richly dunked on with Cutler, Trubisky, and Parkey memes until the end of time.