If free speech is only for non players, then he should have told the fans to get off their fat ass and phone and stand.
Originally Posted by bamscram
Apparently, and I say "APPARENTLY" to give you the benefit of the doubt .... the "protection of "free speech" is a function of the FIRST AMENDMENT that ONLY protects "free speech" from governments.
Private enterprise is not restricted by the First Amendment, in the absence of some statute (as opposed to scary statue) applying the First Amendment to the particular enterprise.
The NFL and/or NFL teams it is my understanding are not covered.
Furthermore, I suspect professional sports contracts have provisions that apply to the public display of disrespect for the United States while players are "on the clock"! The provisions may not say that SPECIFICALLY (and the ones I've seen don't), but there is language related to behavior and public displays, which I have seen, on and off "the clock." If the Team wants to the Team could fire for that behavior.