NFL players have opportunity to do more

Some more NFL players have said they will remain seated/ kneeling during the playing of our National Anthem. While on one hand we can respect their right to have political and/or social opinions, on the other hand we might very well conclude that they have chosen the wrong venue to express those opinions. From my perspective they are doing more harm than good.

Football games are attended/ watched by those from all factions of our society. Protests regarding race, religion, politics, nationalities, etc. take away from the fun and enjoyment of the games, for everyone, and frankly, create anger where the opportunity to set that stuff aside for a few hours exists.

Our National Anthem is, in varying degrees, significant to the vast majority of Americans, particularly those who served in the military to protect our nation. How can those “sitters” expect to have a positive influence when they offend so many?

Athletes make a lot of money, perhaps a lot more than they should (a topic for another discussion). If they are truly dedicated to making our country better, that’s great — we can admire them for that — but they would best serve their cause(s) by spending some of that money, and more importantly their time, in the communities/ neighborhoods. Many professional athletes do that already.

Their celebrity attracts the attention of the media, and that sort of publicity gives positive impacts as opposed to the negativity the “sitters” cause. Just my opinion.

GENE LEMON Yuma