Why does a private organization like the NFL have to play the national anthem in the first place? Should all private business be forced to follow this ritual before work and then fire those who don't participate? The US has been a little too Orwellian for too long. For those of you screaming it is disrespectful, do you realize the players have the right to protest the government? This right is protected by the US constitution, like all of the rights in the bill of rights? These players represent the black community and they are tired of being mistreated by police and discriminated against. They don't feel safe in our communities. Their protest hurts no one and gives a voice to those who do not have a stage to protest themselves. The soldiers who gave their lives defending our constitution did so to protect this freedom. More info here in case you forgot what our country was founded on. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/interactive-constitution-right-to-assemble-and-petition