Saints fan sues team for season-ticket refund over NFL protests

A Louisiana man is suing the New Orleans Saints on a claim that players “disrespecting the flag” during the national anthem has prevented his family from enjoying games.

Lee Dragna of Morgan City, La., filed a lawsuit Monday in the 24th Judicial District Court, according to the New Orleans Advocate, seeking a refund for his season ticket package and attorney’s fees. The fan said he spent about $8,000 on the tickets.

Dragna said he hasn’t attended a Saints home game since Sept. 17, the first one of the season against the Patriots. He described some players not coming out for the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” resulting in fans booing and swearing at those players.

“Apparently, these players were following the lead of (former San Francisco 49ers quarterback) Colin Kaepernick by disrespecting the flag, the anthem, the USA and those who have served and are serving the USA in our military,” according to the lawsuit.

Dragna said the angry reaction of the fans is “borderline dangerous” and has made his seats unusable — but he believes the team is at fault for “condoning” what’s gone on.

Some NFL players, following the lead of Kaepernick last season, have kneeled during the national anthem as a way of protesting police brutality and racial inequality.

“It’s my thought pattern that (players) should not be allowed (to protest),” he said. “If you sell tickets to a gaming event for entertainment, you should not be allowed to turn it political."

Saints running back Mark Ingram tweeted Tuesday only once, and it was during an away game.

“The one time we protested an anthem was an away game. After a team meeting we decided to kneel as one BEFORE the anthem was played and STAND united as one DURING the anthem! Good luck dude,” Ingram wrote.

Dragna said the Saints had already denied a refund request.

“One way or another, they’ll pay,” he added.