N.F.L. Anthem Protests Stirring Emotions Even Before the Season

After multiple Miami Dolphins players demonstrated during the national anthem last week, a local police union announced it would no longer participate in a ticket discount program with the team.The N.F.L. season has not even officially begun, but after just a handful of exhibition games tensions are rising over players’ protests during the national anthem and the league’s handling of the issue.

After a few Miami Dolphins players demonstrated during the playing of the anthem at an exhibition game on Thursday, a county police union announced it would no longer participate in a discounted ticket program offered by the team. At the same time, Tre Boston, a safety for the Arizona Cardinals,…