Standing "at attention" is a customary practice that is intended to indicate the players' love of country, patriotism, respect for the country's institutions (national anthem and flag).
CK chose to conspicuously decline to stand "at attention" during the playing of the Anthem because he felt he could not display "love" of country "as long as" Blacks - especially young Black men - remain the targets of a homicidal campaign by the national constabulary.
(a). He is entitled to his opinion, and if the First Amendment means anything, it means you can criticize the government without being criminally prosecuted for it. So no government instrumentality, acting in its official capacity, may prosecute CK for his opinion or the expression thereof, regardless of how unpopular it may be.
(b). His employer is a private business. His employer may take action against him if his public conduct is offensive to the customer base, unless such action is prohibited by his contract. But in this case, his employer TOOK NO ACTION AGAINST HIM. HE CHOSE to opt out of the remain years of his contract.
(c). Prospective employers may not discriminate against him for his membership in legally protected classes, to wit, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and so on. The protected classes are determined by local law. But nobody is discriminating against him because of his race, whatever that may be. They are discriminating against him because to hire him would be to invite the ire of a large percentage of the customer base.
(d). Clearly, he is the victim of discrimination. He is a more talented, and more accomplished football player than many others who have found jobs in the league. But not all discrimination is illegal or inappropriate. An NFL team could, for example discriminate against a quarterback if they conclude that he is not intelligent enough to do the job. No problem.
CK COULD, if he chose to, make a public statement that he will no longer express his political or quasi-political views in the context of his employment (when playing for or representing the team). HE COULD make a public statement that he has analyzed the relevant data and concluded that there is no statistical evidence to indicate that America's constabulary is killing Black people is disproportionate numbers, hence his protests will not be repeated.
In short, like the reporter who is jailed for contempt because he won't reveal his Source, he holds the keys to his own jail cell. If he won't use them, fuck him. He deserves what he gets.
