OPINION | Views expressed in this article reflect the author's opinion.

Former Virginia Tech soccer player Kiersten Hening was benched by her coach after refusing orders to kneel before a game.

Coach Charles Adair reportedly disagreed with Hening’s well-known conservative political views.

The soccer star said this violated her First Amendment rights and she filed a lawsuit against the coach.

The case was settled after the coach agreed to pay $100,000 as part of an agreement to dismiss a federal lawsuit.

Many Americans view kneeling during the National Anthem as a sign of disrespect to the country as well as the brave men and women who have served in uniform to defend American freedom.

According to WSLS-TV, Hening filed a suit against Coach Adair that “because she refused to kneel, he benched her, subjected her to repeated verbal abuse, and forced her off the team.”

The judge agreed that her case showed sufficient evidence that her rights were violated.

This forced the coach to consider options for settling the legal dispute.

A report in the Miami Herald said that the settlement “asserted Hening’s First Amendment rights were violated.”

Coach Charles Adir tweeted, “I am pleased the case against me has been closed, and I am free to move forward clear of any wrongdoing.”

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Attorney Adam Mortara responded, “Kiersten Hening was benched for her free speech, and you are paying a giant settlement proves it.”

As evidence of the college coach’s political views, he allegedly criticized the phrase “All Lives Matter” and its supporters.

Judge Cullen wrote, “The court concludes that there is sufficient evidence in the record supporting Hening’s claim that Adair’s actions, whatever his motives, adversely affected her First Amendment rights.”

Judge Cullen said, “Whatever his motivations, the court has no trouble concluding that Adair’s conduct towards Hening, publicly chastising her, removing her from the starting lineup, and reducing her playing time, would tend to chill a person of ordinary firmness’s exercise of her First Amendment rights.”