“When NFL players kneel during the national anthem, it hurts more than just our current veterans. It hurts the families of those people fighting for our freedom as well. When soldiers fight for our freedoms this does not include kneeling down during the most important part of a football game. There are ways to express your opinions outside of a stadium filled with thousands of people. The protest is wrong and should be taken somewhere other than an event that people enjoy. It ruins the meaning of a football game, and soon this could make people boycott the NFL altogether. Overall this is an awful decision by the NFL football players and it should be stopped.”

“This “protesta�� is disrespectful and disgraceful to all Americans. Many will argue that it is a freedom of expression and the players have the right to do whatever they please during the National Anthem. While that is true, the only reason these players have that right is because of the brave men and women who fought and died for our National Anthem, our flag, and our country. To not have enough respect to stand in attention during our country’s anthem, an anthem that was composed during the midst of a war and an anthem that continues to represent all that our armed forces have fought for is despicable. Players should stand, hands on hearts, and appreciate the freedom they have to be able to play the game of football in the first place.”

“I feel like the protest is wrong, but not for the reasons everyone continues to repeat. Yes, it is important to respect the flag and our veterans. I agree. It isn’t the veterans that people are protesting, however, so it continues to confuse me when they kneel during the National Anthem. If their protest happens to be against the leadership of our country, then they need to find a better way to express that because I feel like they are choosing to protest in the wrong way. If there is racial oppression from our nation’s leaders, then find a way to protest that specifically. The runoff from this protest is hurting people within their own cause. There could be veterans that feel oppressed, but can’t support the National Anthem protest because it is their honor and duty to respect the flag. Find a more efficient way, or stop kneeling.”

“I believe that the protest is shocking. Why would anyone treat everything that represents our freedom with such disrespect? It is heartbreaking to see the NFL players not stand to honor our flag. Young kids look up to these people and when they see the players sitting, they then admire that. What goes through the minds of all of the football players when they sit down? It is uncalled for, no matter what is going on in our country. We need to stand together! During the National Anthem is the one time the country stands together, singing along in admiration of the flag. During this time we honor those who have continuously put their lives on the line for our country. Protest what you want, but not our National Anthem.”

“I believe the kneeling dilemma is a big surprise to our country. I feel like the players have the right to protest, but there are other ways to do so. The national anthem is honoring those who served or are still serving.”

“Kneeling during the national anthem is a clear sign of disrespect towards Americans and the soldiers who have fought and died for our country. The reason those players are on the field, the crowds in the stands, and the fans watching on TV are because of our soldiers. If you can not respect our country as a whole, fine, but to disrespect the woman and men who have fought for our country is sickening. That soldier that you’re disrespecting is someone’s son, brother, husband, father, uncle and you’re not only disrespecting them but the others around them. That mother, who had to watch her son be deported, is being disrespected. So, as a sign of respect, stand up, put your hand over your heart and think about the soldiers who have fought for you.”

“I believe that if you want to speak your mind about some of the issues in our country, that is fine. In our Bill of Rights, it says you are allowed freedom of speech. However, I believe that kneeling for our country’s national anthem is taking the protesting a little too far. It does in fact act as a disrespect for our country. Especially when you don’t even decide to come out of the locker room, that is taking the protest too far.”