The NFL Commissioner announced today that "all team and league personnel on the field shall stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem." Personnel who choose not to stand must stay in their locker room or face a fine and receive "appropriate discipline."

NFL Owners and the Commissioner have not crafted this policy out of their love of country. They created it because ratings (and profits) are down.

According to Sports Illustrated, ratings dipped 8% for the 2015-2016 season and 9.7% for the 2016-2017 season. 2000 consumers were polled in a UBS Securities survey and about 50% said their disapproval of anthem protests is why they're watching football less.

Of course, as a private company, the NFL doesn't have to follow the 1st amendment. However, a true American entertainment company shouldn't condemn nonviolent, silent protest. These men put their bodies on the line every game, despite increasing concern of serious brain disease like CTE.

I love my country, but patriotism is something that shouldn't, and can't, ever be forced. Fining a player because he silently protests by kneeling is un-American.

Before 2009, standing for the anthem wasn't even standard practice for NFL players.

NFL Owners have no room to grandstand because they have accepted millions of dollars in taxpayer money to honor troops before games. The Pentagon has defended the act, saying it's an effective recruitment tool. If the NFL believes so strongly in patriotism, why would they accept any money?

President Trump has reacted to the NFL's decision because apparently, he has nothing better to do: "You have to stand proudly for the National Anthem or you shouldn't be playing. You shouldn't be there. Maybe you shouldn't be in the country."

I am interested to see how the players will react to this unnecessary policy. I imagine the debate will not end here.