On Thursday afternoon, it was reported that the NFL’s Miami Dolphins would suspend and/or fine players who protest during the national anthem.
In late May, the NFL instituted a new “no kneeling” policy. ESPN reported, “The new 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.”
Immediately following the NFL’s announcement, in a survey conducted by Survey Monkey, 54% of respondents approved of the NFL’s new policy, while 43% disapproved. As The Daily Wire reported, “When the pollsters drilled down a little deeper, they found that approval of the policy increased the more hardcore the fan. Among those who described themselves as NFL fans (which was 53% of respondents), a slightly greater percentage agreed with the policy: 56% of either “casual” or “big” fans said they approved of the policy, while 42% disagreed.”
In the fall of 2017, Dolphins coach Adam Gase coach Adam Gase implemented a policy requiring players to either stand for the anthem or remain in the tunnel.
In March, before the NFL instituted the new policy, Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross told the New York Daily News, “All of our players will be standing.”