As a retired teacher in Texas, I was expected to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Texas Pledge of Allegiance every day during class. It was also expected that every student stand and do the same. It was like pulling teeth from an enraged lion to get some of the students to comply. They'd stand reluctantly, sometimes leaning on their desks while the pledges were recited over the intercom, then slump into their desks immediately afterward. Forced displays of "patriotism" are nonsense. And as I've said before, if we're going to force the players to participate in this forced exercise in "patriotism", lets eject any spectator who isn't standing with hand over heart, dutifully mouthing those words. Shut down all concessions and lock up the restrooms and block the exits to prevent anyone from leaving until they've proven their worthiness to remain in the stadium by saying the pledge.
The NFL just made a bad situation worse. So, unless the entire team stays in the locker room, which would seem to be the best solution, lets castigate and boo those players who choose to do so.