According to FUNKTIONARY:

Pledge of Allegiance - (to the Federal Flag)—did not exist until 1892. The pledge of allegiance was written by a flag manufacturer and merchant, Francis Bellamy, ostensibly for a boy's magazine entitled "'The Youth's Companion," as part of a promotion (to sell his wares) celebrating the fictitious Pirate's Day (Columbus Day). Next time someone wants you to pledge allegiance to the flag, better think about the God-given rights you are waiving instead of watching the flag waving. (See: National Flag, Citizen of the United States. Rights, Congress, Slavery, US. Citizen, Allegiance & Citizens) 

Patriotism: the degree of voluntary servitude evinced.2) the result of one successful treason - until the next one is necessary. 3) re-inforced mindless symbolic conformism. (See U.S. citizen, Treason, USA, Corporate State, Nation, U.S. Senate, Country, Congress, Constitution & Human Resources). 

The Tali-Ban Treatment. Dr. Amos Wilson explained, Any act or attitude on the part of Blacks which appears to White Americans to defy White American authority, control or dominance is a problem to racists.' [MORE]  

From [HERE] In a message impliedly aimed at Colin Kapernick and anyone engaged in free thinking, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones emphasized the importance of his players respecting the flag.

"I just feel so strongly that the act of recognizing the flag is a salute to our country and all of the people that have sacrificed so that we can have the liberties we have," Jones said earlier this week on The Fan's Shan and RJ radio show, as reported by DallasNews.com. "I feel very strongly that everyone should save that moment for the recognition of the flag in a positive way, so I like the way the Cowboys do it."

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett expressed much of the same sentiment last week, as reported by DallasNews.com, so the organization seems to be on the same page.

"The national anthem is sacred. The flag is sacred," he said. "And our team has demonstrated that." [MORE]