NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has done an about-face when it comes to players and coaches kneeling during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner prior to games.

Goodell was staunchly against such an act, dating back to 2016 when San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick did not stand for the national anthem at a preseason game, sparking similar action around the league.

But George Floyd’s unjust death while being arrested by police in Minneapolis in May became a flash point. Protests swept the nation, from big cities to rural areas.

With the vast majority of NFL players being Black, Goodell knew if he continued his stance against kneeling, the 2020 season would be a circus from the start. It still may turn out to be just that.

Now that kneeling players have the backing of the NFL, how will they react when some of their teammates choose to stand for the anthem?

People who kneel for the anthem are widely viewed by those who stand as having no respect for the men and women of all races who gave their time and in many cases, their lives, in defense of our country. I certainly wouldn’t want to be labeled as such.

The other side is just as contentious. Those who stand are viewed by many kneelers as being against racial equality. Again, not a desirable trait.

Such blanket beliefs of either group are toxic and do nothing to help matters.

Calling someone out for their poor performance on the field is one thing. As a professional athlete, you just have to deal with it.

Attacking someone’s character is a different story.

In Steelers’ defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt’s case, it is very much a gray issue.

Tuitt is Black, yet he plans to stand for the anthem to pay respect to the country where his grandmother was afforded the opportunity to make a better life for herself.

She immigrated here, worked several jobs and long hours so that a number of family members could join her.

Sounds like a good enough reason to stand, right? But some people will read it the wrong way and he will be criticized.

Whether a person decides to kneel or stand, he will be vilified to some extent. It’s a shame we have gotten to this point, but that’s where we are.

Kaepernick has said on numerous occasions that he doesn’t associate the anthem and the flag with military service. But he had to know that so many people in this country do make that association.

He had to know that by kneeling for the anthem, a good percentage of people would never align themselves with him.

Still, he chose to kneel.

We’re going to be dealing with this can of worms for a long time.

Derek Pyda is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle