Cyrus Langhorne
The National Football League is making it harder and harder to watch televised games. The organization has announced its new national anthem policy.
According to reports, the NFL is now forcing anyone who appears on-field during the anthem to stand.
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 policy subjects teams to a fine if a player or any other team personnel do not show 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. (ESPN)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has issued a statement to confirm the new policy will take affect this season.
“It was unfortunate that on-field protests created a false perception among many that thousands of NFL players were unpatriotic,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement accompanying Wednesday’s new policy. “This is not and was never the case. This season, all league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem. Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room until after the Anthem has been performed.” (BBC)
Highlights of the NFL's expected new anthem policy: pic.twitter.com/a62Im2S5Ac
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 23, 2018
The new NFL policy is not a compromise. The players wanted to assert their right to peaceful protest. The league didn’t. The league has made it against the rules to do so. And no, staying in the locker room isn’t the same thing.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) May 23, 2018
The NFL Players Association has issued a statement in response to the NFL's new national anthem policy. (via @NFLPA) pic.twitter.com/fhbk9mchjL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 23, 2018
This will definitely be a train wreck, or even worse, a plane wreck.https://t.co/uFJsxshfBO
— Chamillionaire (@chamillionaire) May 23, 2018
