Players don’t have as much freedom of speech as federal and state government employees and have morals clauses in their contracts but given that some owners locked arms with them, it seems unlikely they would now try to get rid of those employees for anthem protests.
Firing a National Football League player for kneeling during the national anthem isn’t as easy as President Donald Trump made it sound.
A team owner would need to be mighty determined and willing to endure some long-term public relations damage and legal bills. But those who know sports contract law say that when it comes to standing up for their beliefs, athletes are not as protected as some might think.