Teddy Ballgame 9 -  why do you have to link patriotism to sports?

It's really bizarre - look at all the players in Canada who aren't even Canadian.

Linking sports, patriotism and war has been a technique of all totalitarian governments.    

Millionaires playing a game have nothing whatsoever to do with your love of country.  And protesting is not hatred of country, it's an acknowledgement that the country needs work.