it is absolutely disrespectful to the flag and what it stands for to kneel during the anthem. The protesting athletes might want to open a history book at take a look at the flag that flew over the Union soldiers during the Civil war, and the flag that liberated the world from tyranny in WW1 and WW2; because if Hitler had won, there would be no blacks left on this planet, or Jews or Gypsies, or gays. America isn't perfect, but it is a hell of a lot better than most places in the world today for freedom of expression, freedom to live, love and worship as you want. 

Now, if you athletes want to make a difference, protest the violence and poverty in the inner cities, protest the destruction of the Black family, protest the culture that demeans learning and hard work to get ahead in the world. Protest the culture of 'victimhood'.