Last week, we asked you whether Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna should have been fined by the National Football League for wearing unauthorized apparel We received dozens of responses. Here's a sampling of what you said:

What if QB had worn the Star of David?

I have to agree with the editorial comment concerning Jon Kitna's situation ("Jon Kitna's cross to bear his own fault," Dec. 23). He broke the rules and has to pay the consequences. Too many people feel that rules are for other people to follow. If their own ideas or beliefs do not match the rules, they feel free to break them without giving a second thought to what they are doing.

If anyone thinks the NFL fine is a persecution of Christians, I wonder how many of us good Christians would be upset if the hat would have had another symbol, such as the Star of David.

Brian L. Ross, Sharonville

Kitna's faith is a great example

It was with great surprise and joy that I read the first article about Jon Kitna coming to Cincinnati from Seattle. He said he felt called by God to come here at a time when other athletes were staying away in droves. Last season, as quarterbacks were rotated, he stated that someone should start all the time, even if it meant that he would be third string. That seemed to kick off a great quarterback rating that hasn't slowed down much through this season.

During those lean years, Kitna was always seen on television wearing his cross cap. I admired that. Many players talk about giving praise to God, but don't often reflect it. Kitna always has.

While I believe in following/enforcing the rules, I think the league should have enforced the rules long before now. But then again, if they had, Cincinnati fans would not have had as much opportunity to see faith in action through Kitna.

Jenn Ledonne, Alexandria, KY

Jon, keep your religion to yourself

They don't pray at school.

They don't pray at work.

They don't pray in Major League Baseball.

They don't pray in the NBA.

And there shouldn't be prayer after games or religious expressions of any kind in the NFL - period.

Religion and the expression of religious beliefs is a private matter and should stay that way.

I think the world of Jon Kitna and congratulate him for what he has done for the Bengals this season. But, Jon, please keep the hats and your religious opinions to yourself. You're a professional athlete, and let's keep it at that.

Keith Lawrence, Newtown

Christian right would vilify an atheist Kitna

Assume for a moment that Jon Kitna were an atheist. There would be an outpouring of vitriol and condemnation by the Christian right if he promoted those beliefs while in the employ of his job as a football player/role model. That same hue and cry should also be directed toward those promoting their personal religious beliefs.

My mother always told me that politics and religion are subjects best kept to one's self.

Paul Aubke, Terrace Park

Kitna should not have been fined

I agree with the editorial ("Jon Kitna's cross to bear his own fault," Dec. 23), as does Mr. Jon Kitna. Since this is the first time he has been cited, and it was an honest misunderstanding, I feel he should not be fined. A warning, if heeded, is certainly punishment enough.

Frazier Huddleston, Fort Thomas

Companies aren't in same league as God

I have been and will continue to be a Bengals fan, in good and bad seasons. I am proud of the Bengals. I am extremely proud of Jon Kitna because our team has a leader that believes in God and is not afraid to express his belief.

I know from personal experience the difficulty you can encounter by voicing your belief in God. The people that decide to fine National Football League players for what the league considers incorrect behavior may someday have their own fine to pay - since when is God in the same category with Nike or any other company?

God has my vote, and so do Jon Kitna and the Bengals.

Bettyann Marx, Bethel

Sadly, Christians are always fair game

If Jon Kitna had disciplined for wearing a Muslim symbol or a symbol of any other faith, you would be the first to decry the act and defend political correctness. But since the cross represents the Christian faith, it is fair game. Christians, including Catholic and Protestants are sick to death of being the whipping boy of the ACLU and the political correctness crowd.

Why do you think so many fans supported him in this action? They certainly were not all right-wing zealots.

Fred R. Ross, Batavia

Classy Kitna deserves all our support

My wife and I had an interesting encounter Dec. 19 at Tri-County Mall. We ran into Jon Kitna, who was Christmas shopping. It was a true pleasure to be around such an exceptional athlete who seemed so gracious and unassuming. He was polite and unpretentious to everyone who approached him.

We as a community should embrace Jon Kitna not only for his athletic ability, but for his Christian values and his willingness to display those values in the public forum. Kitna is a success with or without football, and we should rejoice in his success.

Larry Head, Hamilton

Fans, wear your cross caps today

In response to the National Football League fining Jon Kitna $5,000 for wearing the cap with the cross on the front, how about all the Bengals fans showing up at the Cleveland Browns game today with caps with a cross on the front? Especially for this season of the year.

Why don't they fine spectators sitting half-naked in the stands?

Amy Knight, Madisonville

After he pays fine, leave Kitna alone

It's funny that they fine Jon Kitna, but he has been wearing that cap for how long now? Do you think that because they are on the winning side now it's time to mess with the Bengals? Chad Johnson has been fined two times this year. Nobody messed with them when they were losing all the time. Have him pay the fine and leave him alone.

Don Wallace, Burlington, Ky.