Quit watching the NFL, too political

A letter stated that President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence should get a dictionary to find the meaning of kneeling during our national anthem.

This person seems to think that kneeling during the anthem is a sign of pleading and is acceptable. Perhaps this person needs to get a book on showing proper respect toward the anthem and flag which is to stand at attention, not kneel, and salute the flag by placing the right hand over your heart, not locking arms.

Regardless, I have solved my problem with the NFL. I used to look forward to football season. There were only 16 games and I had to see every game that I could starting with the pregame at 11 a.m. Sunday through Sunday evening and on Monday and Thursday evenings. We were all fans and we all cheered for our teams together as one. Race, religion and ethnicity made no difference. And, when the anthem played, we were all united as Americans standing together as one people.

And, then the game became political and the one refuge from all the divisiveness was gone. The one chance to bring people of all races and creeds together was gone. The one chance to all be Americans was gone. It will never be the same again.

So, I stopped watching the NFL. I no longer have to witness the disrespect of our anthem and our flag because a business decided to let its employees express personal views during work instead of on their own time.

And, I have more time to do things that I enjoy. It is a shame, though, that one of our best chances for unity as Americans was sabotaged by players grandstanding for effect instead of actually trying to solve the problem.

Gail E. Rose

Huntley