Thoughts on Football

Dear Editor, 
Football has been on my mind of late and I wanted to express some thoughts about our local Emery Spartan football team. Even though they have only won one game so far this season they have been extremely entertaining to watch. Head coach Jon Faimalo and his able assistants, Gary Arrington, Chris Justice, Eric Mortensen, Scott Stilson, Russ Willson and Jay Howard have done a great job coaching these young men. The kids play hard and have improved as the season has gone along. 
Three weeks ago against Judge Memorial they lost in the last seconds of the game, that was followed with a thrilling win over rival Carbon and last week they scored 27 points against a really good Morgan team. Congratulations Coaches and players and good luck to you in the next three games.
Concerning professional football, my thoughts are not as charitable. Our flag is a symbol of our great country and the National Anthem is played at the beginning of NFL games nationwide.
It is shameful and repugnant to me that some players disrespect our military, our traditions and values by not standing for the anthem. There are other ways for them to express ‘black pride’. They could hold a press conference, buy advertising, support political candidates that have the same opinions. As citizens of the United States, we enjoy freedom of speech. Perhaps they might be more likely to achieve their goals if they were a little wiser in how they use it.
Mark T Justice
Huntington