Larry Dovichi: Let them kneel, but not while in uniform
Let’s hope that team owners grant some NFL players their wish and allow them to no longer start in that league. The basic question is should they force their players to stand during the singing of the national anthem? The simple answer is no, as long as they are not wearing the colors and equipment of the team they signed to play for. As an employee, my company required me to wear a dress shirt and tie and specifically said no T-shirts or blue jeans while on the job. Same goes for the NFL. The players cannot wear any part of their uniform even in the locker room as long as they are contracted to that team and not standing for the national anthem.
However once the anthem is over, those protesting may begin to suit up. The game continues to start right after the national anthem with those players that are ready to play. If a team is short players either forfeit, play with what you have or sign players who will stand. It is an easy solution
Larry Dovichi, Modesto
This story was originally published October 23, 2017 at 5:35 PM with the headline "Larry Dovichi: Let them kneel, but not while in uniform."