People supporting the freedom of these 'athletes' to protest forget one thing.They are not protesting on their own time. They are On The Job. Being paid by their employer. And part of that comes the responsibility to represent more than yourself, but also represent the company you work for. How many of you could be at work and decide to make public statements and protests while working? If this were nearly any other job they would be fired for their behavior. Not for their stance on the subject, not for wanting to protest, but for being a poor representative of the company they are a public figure for, as well as using their time being paid for personal causes. I mean these guys get fined if they 'showboat' for scoring a goal. Obviously the way they behave and act on the job is of importance. These guys have been fired for the things they've done Off The Clock. Because it looks bad for the company to continue supporting them. So there is precedence that what these people do on and off the clock can be punished.
People approve of it, though, because it's having no personal affect on their lives, but if an employee acted this way and it affected your life would you still support them taking a personal issue to their job?
If these men want to protest, i couldn't care less. But these 'men' sit in expensive stadiums, dressed in expensive gear, go home to their expensive homes and trophy wives, and think kneeling while they are working somehow means a thing. Why don't they act like employees that recognize their place of employment is not a platform, or the right time, to protest, just like the rest of the world. And instead drag their butts out of their million dollar homes, drive their $100,000 car to the streets and protest in the streets with everyone else? Why aren't they out there getting pepper sprayed, getting arrested? Because they have no real commitment to the cause. The things they do are always public shows that are hallow and are costing them nothing, but only gets them more attention.
This isn't a rights issue, it's a job issue, it's a PR stunt. Once these guys face real consequences for their stance, and doing so when they aren't being paid, then they'll show commitment. But for now they are spoiled brats taking no risks, just putting on a show that is changing nothing. At the end of the day not one single politicians choices will be affected by a few athletes refusing to stand in a stadium. It's not protest, it's pouting.