Local football fans react to NFL players' protests

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- At City Tap House in Center City, football fans weren't shy about the politics now colliding with sports.

Betsy Rothley of Colorado said, "I respect it, but I do think it's the wrong place."

Marcus Gooden of Atlanta, Georgia said, "I would rather have my sports not be influenced by politics."

In the last 24 hours - who does or doesn't stand during the national anthem has become the highlight of the pre-game.

The NFL's megaphone has drowned out President Donald Trump's remarks about removing "s-o-bs" off the field that take a knee during the national anthem - a form of protest started last year to call attention to the police brutality against minorities.

The symbolic message that is playing out on airwaves has fans and athletes on both sides chiming in.

Former Philadelphia Eagle Seth Joyner said, "I believe that taking a knee is a wrong way to go about it. If my entire team didn't take a knee together, than I wouldn't individually do it, but there is a better way to go about it. That flag means different things to different people."

"When does the discussion get to be about police brutality, which was Colin Kaepernick's initial reason for protesting," Gooden said.

Scott Donovan of Wilson, New York said, "I thought it was solid expression of unity for not only for the team, but the NFL."

The question many are asking - does politics have a place in sports? Donovan said, "Not really, but it does now."

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