Anti-LGBTQ Hate Group Says NFL Players Have No First Amendment Rights to Protest

The hate group Liberty Counsel took a break from attacking the civil rights of LGBTQ citizens under the guise of religious liberty to attack the First Amendment rights of professional athletes on Wednesday when they published a statement asserting that players in the National Football League have no First Amendment rights to protest.

According to Liberty Counsel's press release, the NFL and the various teams are private, and the players are private actors. Liberty Counsel asserts that the players have no First Amendment right to protest during their employment, including during the game.

Although team owners have largely supported their players' right to protest, Liberty Counsel points to the section of the NFL's operations manual addresses the National Anthem as follows:

"During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses."

Liberty Counsel's co-founder Mat Staver weighed in on the matter.

"Had the NFL chosen to enforce its own operations manual that requires players to respect the National Anthem by being on the field, standing and otherwise showing respect, the continuing protest would cease," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "The players have no First Amendment right to protest. The NFL has refused to allow players to wear decals or armbands or engage in other protests or show of support without prior approval. If the NFL or the football teams want to stop the protests, they have the right to do so," said Staver.