Trump and this week's NFL protests. Hansen mentioned he himself had served in the Vietnam War and that his best friend in high school "did not die so that you can decide who is a patriot and who loves America more." He also stated, "The young, black athletes are not disrespecting America or the military by taking a knee during the anthem. They are respecting the best thing about America. It's a dog whistle to the racists among us to say otherwise".