Posted on 10/10/2017 11:54:15 AM PDT by Enlightened1
A league spokesman said owners will consider player input on the issue, but suggested that a rule change would not require player approval.
The National Football League’s owners will discuss next week whether to unilaterally change league policy and require players to stand during the national anthem.
The decision to consider the change came after weeks of persistent criticism from President Donald Trump about players protesting during the anthem, including his call for fans to boycott games if the demonstrations continue. On Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence left an Indianapolis Colts game after members of the San Francisco 49ers took a knee during the anthem.
In a conference call on Tuesday, NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said league officials, owners, fans, and likely certain players are frustrated that the issue has dominated the game in recent weeks. He said owners will consider player input on the issue, but suggested that a rule change would not require player approval.
“I don’t believe that the anthem per se is something that needs to be collectively bargained,” Lockhart said.
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith has said that league official assured him that players who did not stand for the national anthem would not face penalties.
If the policy is changed, however, players that protest could face discipline from the league.
The NFL manual on game operations says players “should” stand during the national anthem. It does not say they “must” stand, even though that word is used in numerous instances in the manual regarding player behavior during games.
Lockart’s comments followed by hours more tweets from the president assailing the league for not disciplining players who protest during the national anthem.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
I hope they continue to kneel. Heh heh.
They can take the NFL to China ... ‘cause there’s no racism in China and they just love it when someone disses their national symbols. ;-)
More WINNING! (I know, already posted in thread. But after Obama-mess, this is fun!)
Too many have died for our freedom.
Now that will be fun because you know they will probably get fined and maybe suspended from games. Haha!
They’re discussing this already?
It’s only been a year since Kaepernick started this
Ijuts
They need to show their plantation owners who is the boss.
Attention NFL Owners:
Here’s your new policy......NO POLITICAL STATEMENTS AT ALL, ANYMORE.
People watch ports to get away from politics. So, no more pink cleats, no more kneeling or locking arms, no more lifting a leg to look like a dog peeing, NO MORE STATEMENTS. PERIOD.
I love this President who during most of the presidency has exceeded expectations even against the tallest obstacles.
Same here! Best President since Reagan.
He’s on track to be one of the best.
And, they already had a whole year to think about this.
Exactly! What’s there to discuss?
I bet old Kaepernick is realizing his NFL days are over.
No staying in the tunnel or locker room neither! If not on the field for the National Anthem, they don’t play.
The pain finally hit the owners wallets.
What player will decide their principals (to kneel) are more important than playing in the game?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.