Slavery, denying women the vote and child labor used to be "tradition" as well... but that's sidestepping the issue. My point is, there are many other venues for displaying patriotism. I do agree that it is a tradition in a few sports that attract large crowds but should it be - especially if it becoming a divisive rather than a uniting practice? In truth, the practice began and continues as a marketing ploy that utilizes patriotism to help sell a product. Nothing wrong with that but when it begins to backfire by becoming a "political football", then marketers who have intentionally branded their product with patriotism or nationalism, must decide whether it is still in their best interest$ to do so. The branding of the NFL product (see their logo) with patriotism is so deeply engrained that it will always be married, either with or without the National Anthem, but is it still profitable to keep it? It's too bad for the NFL and fans that it must now be considered but that's how it i$.