The antecedent for this mess was first Colin Kaepernick sitting through the presentation of the colors and then Michael Bennett's refusal to stand. Compounding this was the NFL's failure to not only have rules regarding players behavior during the anthem but also to come out and encourage the players to hijack the presentation of the colors in furtherance of their own agenda. 

The presentation of the colors is to honor those who died in service to their country. It is an American tradition that we set aside our differences for three minutes, face the flag and be respectful. This is what the NFL co opted.

Thiel reaches a new level of crazy  when he reports that those who believe it is an appropriate American tradition to salute the flag and stand for the anthem are in reality Russian trolls Really? What's next?