If this is true the I salute you unknown sirs

Not likely, there is no rule that the players HAVE to DO anything other than be present on the sidelines during the anthem. No hand on heart, nothing.

So, since the players are protected by a union, there's nothing that the owners can do.

Actually, ignore my previous comment and accept my apologies (even though you submitted this anonymously).

I saw on the news after I posted that comment that Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys said that he'd bench players who kneeled, so at least the effort's being made.