One can be critical of things the country has done wrong, and one should, but that certainly isn't "the highest form of patriotism." It's actually quite a minor thing. I think you can probably rattle of a dozen ways someone could demonstrate more patriotism than that.
Behind all this is the premise that these children understand anything about our history or our "systems." They don't. Most majored in Mickey Mouse degrees and were led by the hand through whatever studies they may have allegedly pursued. If the commissioner and owners and coaches had any balls, they would tell them to suck it up instead of behaving like the coddled children they apparently are and follow the expectations their employer has for them.