Did you see where Tomlin said he was only trying to stay out of the politics? That no one meant disrespect for the anthem? I see what he's trying to say but imo the ONLY reason he wanted his players not to come out was because he knew that half of them would take a knee! And so he hid them from the fans. So let me get this straight, He was willing to completely forgo altogether, IGNORE the anthem, completely SKIP showing respect for our flag, (just as insulting imo as taking a knee) only to keep a 'perception' of his team not participating?...lol The team participated in the politics the minute they stayed in the locker room! Not participating in the politics would have been acting like an adult in the room and telling your overgrown babies to get their asses out on the side line, show respect for the dam anthem AND DON'T BRING POLITICS INTO IT!. And anyone who takes a knee will be bringing politics into it. And whoever takes a knee will be reprimanded....duh He even said he wanted to 'protect' his player. Protect the players? From what? From freegin showing the fans how ignorant they are when half of them would have taken the knee. Wow. It's amazing how they twist shit around.