Readers reply to NFLPA grievance over anthem policy

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Robert in Saratoga Springs said:

You know, there’s a lot of people struggling in this life and you’re just a cut below making a professional team one-way or another and if you can’t live with making the decent amount of money. Not way overboard like these guys are getting paid, you should definitely be able to stand up for the country that you work for that you live for and people are fighting for. And if you don’t like it, there is Canada you can go play.... This is a country man, if it wasn’t for God. God-fearing people in this land we wouldn’t have it, we wouldn’t have nothing. We live in America, not in Europe, not in Canada live in the United States of America and we play for that flag. A lot of people died for that flag. You better stand up for that flag or get off the field. That’s how I see it.

Pete from Troy said:

The entire issue of protesting at football games in the workplace is just a farce. Nobody has any right to protest. Nobody has a constitutional right to protest in your workplace - not players, not you, not me at my job. Nobody can protest in a workplace. It’s up to your employer how you conduct yourself in your workplace. The Constitution guarantees the right for the people to assembly to seek redress from government. So in the workplace, it doesn’t fly. Big Al from Wynantskill said:

Glad to hear the sound off his back. I have to say that the union will win its grievance because you cannot change the terms and conditions of a union contract without negotiating with a union. The football players have the right to take a knee during the national anthem and the employer or the NFL does not have a right to unilaterally change that policy. They have some negotiate with the union to change the protocol during the national anthem. Also, we run into First Amendment protections and football players and Americans have the right to kneel during the nation anthem. There is no federal laws that say you have to stand for the national anthem either. God Bless America, but the players are right to protest police brutality. They are not disrespecting the American flag.

Ed in Saratoga Springs said:

I want to thank Colin Kaepernick because I now have freed up my Sunday afternoon to do other things that are much healthier like biking hiking and getting outdoors. So the best thing that happened was in taking me because I no longer have to watch NFL football.

From our Facebook pages

Rob A. and Sue Kl wrote: !STAND!

Randi R. wrote:

They have a right to peaceful protest - and it is NOT about demeaning our flag. It is about being seen in a country that refuses to look at racism in the eye and take responsibility for it. It is time to accept it is “We the people”... all people, every color, every religion, every sexual persuasion. What are we afraid of?

Charlie C. wrote: It is about demeaning the flag, and all those who died to defend it! Because you want to make a political point does not mean it is ok to demean my flag! Wake up!

Charmi O. wrote: Leave the inflammatory tune out of game venues

John H. wrote: Stand or no play and no pay.

Michael E. wrote: What about the First Amendment?

Sarah T. wrote:

What do I think? I think the channels televising the games should start the broadcast as soon as the ball is kicked, and end it as soon as the clock hits 00:00in the fourth quarter. Then none of this will mean anything.

Bill V. wrote:

There on the clock period. It’s thief of services stand or hit the road with NO PAY

Francie H. wrote: If they don’t like it, find another job.

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