As news of the scholarship cancellations spread, the public reaction was predictably divided. Social media platforms lit up with hashtags like #KneelForJustice and #StandForTheFlag, with both sides digging in their cleats.

Supporters of PFATS’s decision argue that the organization is simply enforcing a basic principle of respect for the country that gives these athletes the opportunity to succeed. “If you want to play in the NFL, you should respect the flag, plain and simple,” said one commenter on a popular sports forum. “Scholarships are a privilege, not a right. If you can’t stand for the anthem, why should you stand on the field?”