NFL -- Don't take a knee on America

By Laurie Roth

Once again we see misplaced freedoms that end up yet again flipping off our country and the hundreds of thousands of service people who sacrificed their lives and treasure to secure our freedoms. The latest display of confused freedom was by Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers who took a knee and wouldn't stand during the National Anthem because of our alleged continued racism, treatment of black people and those nasty people who get early pensions (namely cops) while blacks lay dead in the streets.

This has caused a mega stir and national conversation as other NFL officials, media and players check in. The NFL position so far is that they encourage all the players to stand during the national anthem and show respect but don't demand it. Russell Wilson, the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks weighed in sharing his love for the flag and the emotion and importance for him at putting a hand to his heart during the national anthem which honors our fallen military heroes who helped make this country free and great.

I am a Washingtonian and huge fan of the Seattle Seahawks. I don't miss games and am most proud we have a talented and bold quarterback like Russell Wilson who is not ashamed of his faith in God and will stand up for the National Anthem.

No one has ever said our country is perfect and racism and evil isn't peppered here and there. We dare not forget with all of our 'speech and freedom' displays how far we have come and how much racism and stark evil we have confronted, battled and overcome. America is a free and compassionate work in progress and has been going in the right direction for decades. Honoring our National Anthem isn't about pretending we are perfect but respecting the bold sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of people of all color.

For NFL players to think they are taking the high road of freedom by taking a knee and publicly disrespecting our Flag and National Anthem, especially as a famous wealthy and black NFL player, is to put themselves into the 'nobody cares – fossil bag' of Black Lives matter and creates more rage against whites and cops.

I am most proud ofNFL players who acknowledge the privilege of living in America and take the high road regarding the showing of real respect during the National Anthem. Let them not forget their stature, wealth and responsibility to get their 'freedom' displays right. I very much look forward to this NFL season and the Seahawks winning the Super bowl yet again...my bad.

© Laurie Roth