Regarding your editorial, “Players’ protest honors rights our flag represents” (page A4, Oct. 13 Port Orchard Independent):

Yes, Trump’s response galvanized a response from NFL players, team staff and owners: They doubled down on stupid. By trying to put Trump down, they slapped themselves silly. They thought they were expressing defiance to Trump. Instead, they expressed contempt for those of us who pay to watch the sport.

These protests weren’t about free speech at all. And there is no graceful, dignified way to undo that “galvanized response.” The NFL shot themselves in the foot by not realizing that there still remains a (not so) silent (anymore) majority that abhors thug/Leftists politics in our sports.

Bill Zupancic
Port Orchard