I am a long time football fan and a patriot. I love to watch football games, NFL, Colleges, even some high school. I also love our country. The Pledge of Allegiance is special to me. We said it every morning while standing in our classrooms, hands over our hearts, facing the flag, in elementary school. Then somewhat less in high school.

It was important to sing the national anthem in assemblies, plays, and especially prior to sporting events. Red Skelton made patriotism even more widespread with his recording of him reciting the pledge and explaining what it meant to him.

I also love our national anthem. I love the way it precedes the beginning of many athletic events. In my mind it is in no way making any kind of a stand not to stand for our national anthem to be played or sung, except to say that you don’t like America. In that case what you should do is leave. Find another country that suits your needs.

It seems to me there are other ways to protest something you want to change. Find them or leave!

This hullaballoo about not standing for the national anthem seems to be a totally unreasonable and unacceptable way to object or protest some things an athlete doesn’t like. I have to say it is making me consider not being a fan of the sport of football. To make the national anthem a political football is detrimental to our enjoyment of the game. If this doesn’t stop, I may soon become a non-fan! This is beginning to destroy my enjoyment of the game!