NFL and anthem
TO THE EDITOR:
I would like to submit this letter to state my feelings and the feelings of many other Americans. I would like to address the situation of the NFL players refusing to stand and put their hands over their hearts during the playing of our great national anthem.
Yes, there is a freedom of speech in this great country of ours. There have been hundreds of thousands of Americans who have fought in wars and paid the ultimate price with their lives just so each and every one of us Americans has that right to free speech and many more rights that you won’t find in any other country. In my mind and heart, and I am a veteran, when you disrespect the flag, you become a traitor. There is no place in our country for traitors.
If most Americans protested at their jobs, like the athletes are doing, they would very likely be fired. I can’t accept the NFL allowing these athletes to take advantage of their being on television while being “on the job” to do their protesting for whatever reason. If the athletes must protest don’t take advantage of your job being on television to do it. Do it on your own time and spend your own money for your media coverage. Disrespecting the flag is not the way to protest.
Maybe if the fans, especially the veterans and their families, would boycott all live games and the television viewing the NFL would understand that America is about more than public protests and personal feelings. We are all a part of this great country and is way past time that we all join together and forget about our personal feelings and make sure our country remains free and maintains the status as the greatest country in the world forever and ever. God bless America.
Gary Jacobs Texarkana, Texas We invite readers to share their opinions in the Letters to the Editor column. Please write us at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504.
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