First of all, the NFL has not punished Kaepernick. But requiring some minimal showing of respect for one’s country, symbolized by the flag, is very different from requiring support for gays, gay-ness, gay sex... All Americans are called to support America (elsewise, they should hit the road and find another country). What each of intends by that support, how each of us views America, etc... may differ, sometimes greatly, but having a poor opinion of Kaepernick for his refusal to stand is far different from not allowing an athlete to compete for her country unless she publically expresses support for conduct that was considered a felony at the country’s founding. I wish sports would get back to being sports, actors would stick to acting and comedians would actually tell jokes instead of political diatribes.
So you are suggesting that one person should be given veto power over the colors of the national team's jerseys?
I admire her stand here, but she is not being persecuted. She's doing all of this voluntarily. Has she (or anyone else) stood up and asked the national team to use different colors on its jerseys? I'll bet not.