As America becomes increasingly divided over political expressions in sports, especially the act of kneeling during the national anthem , one of the most powerful figures in football – Robert Kraft , owner of the New England Patriots – has just made a statement that has shocked public opinion:

“I pledge to never again allow kneeling during the national anthem at Gillette Stadium. Here, we respect the flag, the military, and our American traditions.”

Kraft’s statement quickly spread across social media and mainstream media. While many applauded his efforts to preserve patriotism, others criticized him for stifling freedom of expression and turning sports into a tool for conservative politics.

Is Robert Kraft’s action an affirmation of national faith, or a step backward in a society that increasingly calls for understanding and tolerance?

The practice of kneeling during the national anthem became widely known after Colin Kaepernick , former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, knelt during an NFL game in 2016 to protest police violence and racism.

Since then, the practice has spread to other sports and become a symbol of social justice movements. For many Americans, especially those of color, kneeling is not an insult to the flag but a peaceful protest against injustice.

However, to others, especially veterans and conservatives, the act is seen as an insult to those who sacrificed their lives to protect the nation and sacred symbols like the national anthem and the American flag.

Prior to this tough statement, Gillette Stadium – home of the New England Patriots – had seen players kneeling or raising their fists during the national anthem. Although the numbers were small, it was still controversial among the team’s loyal fan base.

Robert Kraft, a billionaire, philanthropist, and someone with close ties to both conservative and progressive politics (he was once close friends with Donald Trump and also supported many of Obama’s campaigns), has previously maintained a neutral stance on the issue.

His move from silence to decisive statement has many wondering: what has caused such a change of heart from a veteran rugby boss?

In an interview with Fox Sports, Robert Kraft elaborated on his decision:

“I used to believe that everyone had the right to express themselves. But when that behavior caused endless controversy, divided fans, and hurt the image of the team and the NFL, I had to take action. This was no longer a social fight — it was a symbolic fight. And I didn’t want Gillette Stadium to become a political battlefield.”

He also stressed that the move was not against the movement for justice, but to keep rugby “back to what it was meant to be” – a place of unity rather than division.

Support: “It’s time to bring patriotism back to the pitch”

Many longtime Patriots fans applauded Kraft’s remarks, calling him “a courageous defender of traditional American values” on Reddit and other social media sites.

One notable comment from an American veteran said:

“I served 20 years in the military. I’m not asking everyone to bow to the flag, but at least don’t kneel during the national anthem. Thank you, Mr. Kraft, for understanding that.”

Some former Patriots players, like Tedy Bruschi , also shared the view that:

“We can speak up for justice – but we must also remember that millions of people have sacrificed so that the national anthem can still be played every week.”

Protest: “Kraft is censoring players and imposing ideology”

Conversely, some players and activists criticized Kraft’s statements as dangerous and controlling .

A representative of the NAACP organization stated:

“Kneeling is a peaceful act. Banning it is like telling players to ‘play and shut up’. It is a denial of basic human rights.”

Former NFL player and activist Malcolm Jenkins wrote on Twitter:

“True patriotism does not come from coercion – it comes from understanding. To forbid others from expressing their views is a disgrace.”

Under US law, the Constitution protects freedom of expression, but that doesn’t mean a private organization like the NFL or a football team has to allow all forms of expression on the field .

Professor Mark Lemley , a constitutional law expert at Stanford University, explains:

“Robert Kraft has the right to set internal rules at his stadium, as long as they are not unlawfully discriminatory. But clearly, this decision will be scrutinized by civil rights organizations if it affects players’ contracts and personal rights.”

Kraft’s statement did not come out of thin air. In fact, there are signs that many sports teams are trying to “depoliticize” the field after years of division over expressive symbols.

Some NFL teams have required players to “stand together” during the national anthem.

Major League Baseball (MLB) has also removed the national anthem from some games after backlash.

The NBA allowed players to wear anti-social slogans in 2020, but has phased them out from 2022.

Will Kraft’s actions set a precedent? Or will they be a setback that silences the movement?

Robert Kraft’s remarks raised questions that America has struggled to answer: Does patriotism always mean silence and conformity? And is there room for diversity in how we express our loyalty to our country?

Gillette Stadium is now more than just a place to play – it is a symbol of the conflict between tradition and change, between individual belief and collective discipline.

To his supporters, Kraft was upholding the dignity of the flag. To his opponents, he was rejecting the very thing that made America what it is: individual liberty.