There isn't a protest of the flag or the national anthem. I'm a veteran and I continue to serve my community today. Peaceful protest that doesn't interfere with the flow of the game isn't offensive to me. Forced patriotism is not American at all. That's more like what the citizens of North Korea experience. You also have the right to not patronize the NFL as a result of the protest. My question is what is so offensive about the protest?  Muhammad Ali faced the same vitriol in his time but became one of America's my beloved and celebrated athletes.