He didn't get blackballed for that. The critiques for that lasted all of maybe a week. They said "you have to stand" he said, "I'll just turn my back and recite a prayer". And it was never even brought up again. He got blackballed for being an assh0le that no one wanted to deal with anymore... a la Jr Rider. He didn't even play like he gave a F after that...Reef & Deke also had their rituals during the anthem.
what?...he did get blackballed for his protest & speaking out...his protest against the anthem lasted as long as he was playing because at first he was sitting...then they compromised and he stood & turned his back to the flag...so everytime he did that, it was talked about and why he was doing it.....the min the league got a chance to get rid of his ass, they did....he was a free agent and no one signed him cause like you said: 'he was an a$$hole'....seriously, an a$$hole? lol...if you can play, they dont give a fukk if you an a$$hole, and he could play....the same shyt is happening with kaep and the excuses that 'he's lost it, and just not that good of a qb anymore', as to why he's not signed....they will use whatever reason not to sign you to hide the fact they blackballing you so they cant be sued...
the same shyt happened with criag hodges after he started speaking out and what he pulled with bush at the white house....the min his contract was up, all of a sudden 'he couldnt play anymore', so no one signed him, even though he was still one of the best shooters in the league at the time....
as for keef & deke: yes, they had rituals after chris jackson did his, but they worked theirs out with the league....they went to the league and came up with their rituals, which werent deemed disrespectful, like his....