Burn NFL Jersey, Get Free Footlong Hot Dog: Florida Restaurant Owner Says

BROOKSVILLE - The owner of the Coney Island Drive Inn got a lot of attention when he invited football fans to throw their NFL merchandise into a couple of “burn barrels” outside his restaurant this weekend and in exchange get a free footlong hot dog. John Lee, the restaurant’s owner, is holding a “Celebration of Patriotism” beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, but he says the burning of football jerseys is not the main point of the event.

Lee, a former Army veteran, said he decided to hold the celebration because he got upset at football players kneeling during the national anthem. He was watching a news report on a NFL game being played in London and he said some players were standing for “God Save The Queen,” but kneeling for the "Star-Spangled Banner."

Since he was a child, Lee said he has been taught to stand for the anthem and place his hand over his heart. “I can’t change what I think. I don’t condone them for doing it,” he said.

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President Donald Trump has called for team owners to fire players who kneel for the anthem. But Lee said Trump should not have weighed in on the issue. “He needs to say less and do more,” he said.

Lee said he has had discussions on the issue with neighbors -- some black and some white. “It is clearly a divided issue,” he said. Lee added that perhaps the NFL should “take the anthem out of the sport.” But if it is going to be played, then everyone should stand, he added.

Sunday’s event will be more than the burning of NFL merchandise, Lee said. He said a former Marine will give a speech on why people stand for the anthem and a Marine Corps detachment will present the flag. A local singer will perform the anthem.

Lee said the idea for the event developed from discussions with Hernando County Commissioner Steve Champion, whose American Gun & Pawn is adjacent to his business.

Lee won’t be participating in the NFL jersey burning. He isn’t a football fan. He said he hasn't been a fan “since (Dallas Cowboys star) Bob Hayes played.” Hayes played from 1965-75.

Photo by Matt Dunham/Associated Press