Posted on 05/23/2018 9:39:13 AM PDT by Hojczyk
ATLANTA -- NFL owners have unanimously approved a new national anthem policy that requires players to stand if they are on the field during the performance but gives them the option to remain in the locker room if they prefer, it was announced Wednesday.
The new policy subjects teams to a fine if a player or any other team personnel do not show appropriate respect for the anthem. That includes any attempt to sit or kneel, as dozens of players have done during the past two seasons. Those teams will also have the option to fine any team personnel, including players, for the infraction.
"This season, all league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room until after the Anthem has been performed.
"We believe today's decision will keep our focus on the game and the extraordinary athletes who play it -- and on our fans who enjoy it."
A vote took place at the conclusion of the league's spring meeting and was approved by all 32 owners.
After spending months in discussions, owners believe this found a compromise that will end sitting or kneeling with an edict that stops short of requiring every player to stand.
The previous policy required players to be on the field for the anthem but said only that they "should" stand. When then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling to protest police brutality in 2016, the league had no rule it could use to prevent it. The movement drew increasing criticism from President Donald Trump, as well as many fans, who believed it was a sign of disrespect toward the flag and country
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
Good excuse for weak Freepers to come running back next season.
Can’t wait to see the media try to spin this as a loss for Trump, who was the only national figure who had the balls to call out the NFL for allowing their employee-inmates to show such disrespect to our flag and everyone who fights for it.
“New policy requires players, personnel on the field to stand for anthem”
Trump wins.
America wins.
I figured they’d do this sooner or later.
You can be sure that the SJW’s will be in their faces in Day One kneeling to test their will. My guess is they know the owners won’t follow through on punishment, out of fear of being labled RAAAAACISTS.
The only way to spin it is as a win for Trump.
Goodell is _so_ clever—no wonder he gets paid the big bucks. The deplorables will _never_ catch on... ;-)
Win, yes but sad it is even an issue...
Profits going in the wrong direction, Roger?
I have watched zero professional football in two years.
This year I will watch even less.
No, it does not. It allows them to stay in the locker room instead.
The Negros, Felons, and Liberals will continue to hate America and show us disrespect but the NFL will just hide it from America because it looks bad on TV.
Sorry, NFL, but you’re a day late and a dollar short.
I dropped NFL in the mid 80s.
Haven’t missed it at all.
Anyone still doubting about the impact, we and millions have had on this stunt by the BLM thugs in the NFL!
Too late, NFL assholes.
Go back to the pre-9/11 practice of playing the Anthem prior to the teams taking the field.
No more opportunity to make political statements.
Too late, NFL. You’ve shown your true colors, and they are putrid.
Yep. Can’t shake that addiction.
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