During his long and distinguished career as a broadcaster, Vin Scully, the voice of the Dodgers (of both the Brooklyn and L.A. versions) for sixty-plus years, almost never said anything even remotely political. But those who listened to him over the decades could always tell that he was a patriot of the first water with a simple and straight-forward love of America.

At a presentation Vin made Saturday at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium a reporter asked him what he thought of the NFL players’ anthem protests. His answer will not surprise the old Red Head’s fans.

“During the fall and winter, I watch the NFL on Sunday, and it’s not that I’m some great patriot,” Scully said in answer. “I was in the Navy for a year, didn’t go anywhere, didn’t do anything. But I have overwhelming respect and admiration for anyone who puts on a uniform and goes to war. So the only thing I can do in my little way is not to preach. I will never watch another NFL game.”

Americans by the millions, like Vin, are also taking a knee on the NFL as the league’s TV ratings and ticket sales continue to tank. The only nit I can pick with Vin’s statement is that it’s clear to me from the totality of Vin’s career and his life that he indeed is a great patriot.