I know this guy takes of his hat and stands at attention. Somebody will get the hint in this thread eventually....

I'd list what I think about pro athletes in general, but you can just read about the Chicago Bears undercover bust for a hint.

I always stand and remove my hat for the National Anthem. I am not a vet, but my dad was. He had a VFW honor guard for his funeral. Those honor guard guys were awesome. They had been in Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait and Iraq. It's all about respect. I have great respect for men and women who have served when called. My dad was drafted for Korea. He quit playing minor league baseball and went. My dad said he went because Harry Truman and the USA "invited him to go." So he did his duty with the 24th Infantry. That's just the way it was in 1950.

"Because I think it's a hipster thing to do."

Pretty sure it prohibits it being backwards on a uniform, too.

Concussions really are causing problems.

Never been sure why it is necessary to play the national anthem at sporting events in the first place. Because I'm at a sporting event with a bunch of other people it is necessary to convey our patriotism? Frankly, it seems a bit North Korean-ish. Why not at a concert, movie, or other type of public gathering?

I do stand and remove my hat though.

And, anyone who says "Home of the CHIEFS" surely isn't agreeing with strict rules about the anthem are they?

Apollo Creed disagrees

I teach in a public middle school. We listen to the National Anthem every morning. I put my right hand over my heart and left hand behind my back so that I'm not tempted to mess with papers, tap a desk, put it in my pocket. I tell my kids that I do this every day to honor people like my grandfathers, my dad, and 5 of my uncles who served. I think it's the least I can do and hopefully it shows kids a little something about respect.

I was at a high school volley ball game and a kid didn't take his hat off for the anthem. so this guy walks down the bleachers to where the kid was and takes his hat off and hands it to him and then stands beside him until the anthem was over. I asked him if it was his kid. nope. do you know him? he said nope and at 6'4" it his parents want to talk to me about it I should be easy to find. pretty funny.

many members of my family have fought for this country. my father is a 20 year vet. I have uncles from just about every branch. my first thought when I read this was...well it's not like they are burning the flag or anything. my father and I got into a fairly big argument over flag burning. I think it's henious for someone enjoying the freedom provided by this country and using it to burn a flag that represents that freedom. my father disagrees. he says hey, my brothers and I fought for freedom, and that includes the freedom to be a total ****ing ASSHOLE. an interesting take on it from a vets point of view.

It's not backwards; proper customs/courtesies dictate that the flag be worn with the stars forward.

The Soldier's uniform is fine. Do some research.

From AR 670-1

"The full-color U.S. flag cloth replica is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag’s own right. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer’s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward."

Freedom of speech includes freedom of offensive speech. That's why flag burning, or book burning, or the Phelps Klan with "Santa pillowbiter" signs during Christmas time, are allowed to happen in the USA. If you allow everyone to speak freely, you can judge the content of their speech and determine if they're fruitloops or not. My dad was the same way. He didn't like it, but understood that it comes with the territory when you defend freedom.

Thank Goodness you learned long ago that symbolism has no place in literature, religion, philosophy or human history. You are indeed a wise and profound illuminati.

I bet your Che t-shirt waves proudly in the breeze...

yeah.....I reckon....I mean I guess dad is right, but it just pisses me off. I don't think I could control myself if I was ever in close proximity to a flag burner or those phelps losers. man...those phelps folks... just sick.
<blood pressure rising>

I mean DAMN! can you IMAGINE burying your kid and those phelps bitches being there with their signs and shit? I'm surprised there haven't been deaths yet. sorry ass bitches hiding behind freedom of speech.

I'm not sure that people who opt not to stand during the national anthem are a 1:1 with the Phelps bunch. That's a stretch.