Letters: Football player should show some gratitude

The professional football player who refused to stand for the National Anthem stirred strong feelings in many Americans, although probably not the feelings he intended.

His actions remind us that we live in a country where a backup quarterback in the NFL, with a mediocre record, can earn $12 million a year and still feel oppressed by the country that provided him his opportunity.

Maybe his team should offer him counseling to help him understand his good fortune, or else help him find a country more to his liking.

Refusing to stand for the national anthem, when you are able to do so, is as disrespectful and un-American as trampling on the U.S. flag.

He should be ashamed of his behavior, and should offer an apology to America. Otherwise, the team whose uniform he also disgraced should let him stay seated during every game — on the bench.

This story was originally published September 14, 2016 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Letters: Football player should show some gratitude."