Have any of his teammates been harmed? Also, as a member of a football team, he is subject to their rules regardless of his beliefs. State or private the only protections he receives is that he cannot be kicked out of the university, everything is (rightfully) up to the discretion of those running the football program (in this case). Arguing anything else is asking for further government invasion into our daily lives. It’s like women not being on the team, just because they believe they should be doesn’t mean they have any business stepping foot on the field.