I find the rebuke of anthem protests at NFL games to be interesting.

I do not mean to diminish

the current cause to which many protesters are trying to bring attention. However, I think it is
important to put criticism that these protests are "anti-patriotic" to rest by showing, through
evidence, that it is a common practice.
Historically, anthem protests have been a platform for espousing socio-political ideology since
the turn of last century, when we had different, unofficial anthems (NY Associated Press, 1892).
From WWI to Vietnam, protesters used anthem protests to show disdain for the US involvement
in wars. From protests against creeping nationalism (Associated Press, 1934) to protests for
equal rights (Lewis, 2006), these protests have been upheld by federal court as constitutionally
protected speech under the 1st amendment (United Press International, 1963). You could say that
anthem protests are “An American Tradition”.
It is important to note that United States flag etiquette is codified. However, it does not mandate,
but strongly suggests ceremonial rules and proceedings (Streufert, 1995). Many people see the
US flag as a symbol for the ideologies of freedom and liberty, something for which many have
died. However, I don’t know a service-person that would jump on the stars and stripes to protect
it from shrapnel- they lay their lives on the line to protect the American ideology.
It is understandable that people would be offended by these protests, and it is their right to
complain about it. I would argue, however, that advocating for the protection of free speech –
over a patriotic ceremonial display at an event put on by a for-profit, non-governmental agency –
is more in line with the American ideology.

References:
Associated Press. (1934, May 31). Students Refuse to Stand While Anthem is Sung. Wilkes-
Barre Evening News. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7116195//
Lewis, Richard (2006, October 8). Caught in Time: Black Power salute, Mexico, 1968. The
Sunday Times.
NY Associated Press (1892, March 28) Wouldn't Sing “America”. The Evening World. Retrieved
from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6654115/wouldnt_sing_america_the_evening/
Streufert, D. (1995, July 8). Usflag.org. Retrieved from
http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html#285b
United Press International (1963, August 30). Judge Rules for Religious Sect in Fight Over
National Anthem. The San Bernardino County Sun. Retrieved from
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7116227//