A few years ago:

Jason Kander @JasonKander
Patriotism isn’t about making everyone stand and salute the flag.

Patriotism is about making this a country where everyone wants to.
8:51 AM · Sep 24, 2017

In 1943:

WEST VIRGINIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ET AL. v. BARNETTE ET AL., 319 U.S. 624

[….]

If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein. If there are any circumstances which permit an exception, they do not now occur to us….

[….]

In a time of war, no less.

Today from Mark Alford (r):

Mark Alford
[August 8, 2023]
Just because you “have the right” doesn’t always MAKE it right.
[….]

It ain’t a right if you can’t exercise it, dumbass.

Some of the responses:

If they can’t respect their country then they shouldn’t allowed to play and make money from their country.

that’s what Kim jong un says you sound pretty Tyrannical not someone who advocates for freedom.

Since when is kneeling and bowing your head not a sign of respect?

When it’s a protest and has nothing to do with respect!

Never heard of the First Amendment.

Yall don’t sound like you like freedom one bit. That’s something a communist would say

Protesting is the most American thing you can do

don’t make the mistake of considering disrespectful behavior to be protest.

Im just trying to figure out why yall are so mad about freedom it seems to me you need to re learn history and go back to the days where they kill people for this. It’s only disrespectful because it goes against your beliefs

my beliefs are loving my country and showing respect for the ones who fight for our freedom and our flag, kneeling during the national anthem is disrespectful to military and if you’ve been in the military you of all people should know that!! If you ever watch an event that includes our military personal when they’re playing the national anthem they all stand tall and proud and put their hands over their hearts in honor of our military and to our flag,to kneel is very disrespectful and anti-american.

Anti-American.

Protest another way – have respect for our flag and what it stands for – the flag is one thing we as Americans should all agree upon

Never been subjected to crass commercialism.

Why don’t you post this on your official congressional page?

He keeps his most radical comments off that page. People might see the real person behind the hat.

as a veteran that has served this nation, I served so that they may have to right to do as they please even if I don’t agree.. This is freedom.

Also a vet and 100% agree.

my dad, also a vet, says the exact same thing!

Just because you don’t think it’s right doesn’t mean it’s wrong either.

Out of that whole team only 3 stand for GOD and Country !

Which god?

god does not support any country or political party in any country.

This is the dumbest take ever. Show some leadership yourself.

It is Mark Alford (r).

So you are against freedom of speech now?

I bet if you asked either the kneelers or the hearters what they thought of the others, “loser” would not even be a part of the conversation.
And if they don’t have a problem with it, why the hell do you?
This is a junk meme and the only “losers” are those who post it or support it.
Grow up, Alford. Be worthy of the dignity and respect for the office you hold.

What’s out of bounds is morons who think only their form of expression is the “right” and that it is acceptable for elected officials to call American citizens names and spread discord if citizens do not conform with their view of what is or what is not an acceptable means of expression.
Even when the teammates, coaches, sponsors, and everyone else associated with the US World Cup team don’t have a problem with the means of expression?

I’m sure our 4 founding fathers stood at attention with their hand over their heart every time they heard the national anthem played.

Uh, no, they were probably drinking and eating at a public house.

The irony of course is that even tho they disagree on how to participate in this symbolic performance ritual, they continue to work as a team, play the game by the rules, and accept the outcome based on those rules.

We see what you did there.

Unlike you. I served my country so anyone can protest against it. Including you. Maybe you should read our Constitution instead of destroying it?

So when you took office, you put your hand on a bible and said, “I, Mark Alford , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Is that what you would say you are doing in this post?

he’s defending the American flag and the republic for which it stands. Unlike those America hating pretenders.

Never heard of Francis Bellamy.

So people who kneel for what they believe are losers? Empathy is lost on you. You might seek to understand, instead you condemn.

So what you’re saying is when given a larger platform, or stage, you should keep your opinion to yourself and just do your job? [….]

We see what you did there.