Sports have long offered Americans a welcome escape from the rancor that marks our politics, but the left continues to creep in on this hallowed ground.

The latest example of this comes from NBC sportswriter Craig Calcaterra, who sees a display of the American flag as a political act.

In a classic example of liberal projecting, Calcaterra posted a photo Sunday of a huge American flag in the outfield at Suntrust Park in Atlanta — and on the Jumbotrons — during the national anthem, along with this caption:

“Will you keep politics out of sports, please. We like sports to be politics-free”

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"Will you keep politics out of sports, please. We like sports to be politics-free" pic.twitter.com/Mx3omxcNhu

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) April 16, 2017

To be clear, it wasn’t just Old Glory that Calcaterra took offense to, as he clarified in a response on Twitter. NBC’s lead baseball writer included customary military flyovers seen at many professional sports events — none do it better than NASCAR.

Maybe a flag, in and of itself isn't always political. A two-acre flag with a military flyover is saying something very specific, however.

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) April 16, 2017

Yep, no love of country there…

Once in a hole, Calcaterra refused to stop digging, dismissing the American flag as “a piece of fabric.”

@DiamondStarsGM @louiswu5 I never said the flag itself was. It’s a piece of fabric. People use it in a lot of ways. Sports teams and leagues included.

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) April 16, 2017

He even tried to suggest that flyovers never occurred before 9/11, but was quickly set straight:

Whoops. 1st Super Bowl flyover was in 1968. Liar or ignoramus? @craigcalcaterra @garyc22 @DiamondStarsGM https://t.co/RMl4HY0DEg

— Yes, Nick $earcy! (@yesnicksearcy) April 16, 2017

And make no mistake about it, Calcaterra’s stance was purely political, even if he claims otherwise:

@PastorKrahn Getting there requires people to accept that those who question our leaders and do not support all military ventures can still be patriots.

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) April 16, 2017

Rest assured, though, Calcaterra got what was coming to him for his distaste of good old fashioned patriotism — he probably hates apple pie too.

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Here’s a sampling of responses from Twitter:

@craigcalcaterra You can disagree with the leaders and still support the soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen who died under that flag.

— Joseph Daher (@joedah87) April 16, 2017

@craigcalcaterra Patriotism and Politics… Two very different things. Civic pride is commonplace in sports.

— C. A. H. (@Haloswin) April 16, 2017

@craigcalcaterra This is ridiculous. One can love the country and completely disagree w It’s leaders at any given point in time.

— Frank Styles (@DJFRANKSTYLES) April 16, 2017

@craigcalcaterra But honoring the flag at a baseball game is done by both sides. There is a contingent who hates what the country stands for & it’s founding

— Frank Styles (@DJFRANKSTYLES) April 16, 2017

@craigcalcaterra Buy yourself a one way ticket to Texas and come explain that to us?

— BS400 (@blacksmith400) April 16, 2017

@craigcalcaterra The flag represents America NOT a political party moron!

— Joe (@JoeC1776) April 16, 2017

@terrymendozer @FortyFourSpcl @craigcalcaterra Men died to keep freedom. The flag is the emblem of this.

— Calendula (@Calendula2016) April 16, 2017

@craigcalcaterra I think we are learning what it’s like when there is literally nothing left that a culture can share and enjoy in common.

— Craig McCarthy (@CraigAMcCarthy) April 16, 2017

@craigcalcaterra Then how about telling your pals over at ESPN to stop talking politics? Cut the crap, dude

— Retired! (@DoctorKOH) April 16, 2017

@craigcalcaterra Displaying the American flag at a baseball game isn’t overly poltical – Bob Costas demanding gun control during MNF is.

— Nick Chuckles (@NickChuckles) April 16, 2017

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Tom Tillison

Senior Staff Writer
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.

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