Sorry Chitown, this isn't a 1st amendment issue. The government isn't limiting free speech, although many in the government have expressed their opinions on it.

Speech can be limited as a term of employment or contractually.

I understand the underlying issues the players are protesting, and I also understand the response they are getting for the venue they chose.

It's too bad the energy is being spent on on the controversy itself and not on the topic for which they were trying raising awareness.