[Danimal16]

The removal of the hat (cover) and placing it over one's heart is a form of salute. If you want to salute, fine, if not fine. It has nothing to do with respect. IMHO, the respect is standing and remaining quiet during the playing of the national anthem.

My family goes to a Niner's game every year to celebrate my Father's birthday. The first year we did this I was stunned by the respect and friggin' beauty of how the crowd honored the playing of the anthem. You could have heard a pin drop as folks rose to their feet. It was very heart felt!

I am a long time Packers fan, but I LOVE the Niner's and their fans for how they express their respect. But the hat is a salute, so is the hand over the heart, so is standing and so is present arms. Don't sweat the hat thing.