NFL owners unanimously passed a new policy on Wednesday that requires players to stand during the national anthem if they are on the field during its performance but allows team members to stay in the locker room if they do not wish to participate.
ESPN reports:
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.
“This season, all-league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. “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,” Goodell continued.
In a statement put out by the NFL, the 32 teams agreed to the following requirements:
- “All team and league personnel on the field shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.”
- “The Game Operations Manual will be revised to remove the requirement that all players be on the field for the Anthem.”
- Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room or in a similar location off the field until after the Anthem has been performed.”
- “A club will be fined by the League if its personnel are on the field and do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.”
- “Each club may develop its own work rules, consistent with the above principles, regarding its personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.”
- “The Commissioner will impose appropriate discipline on league personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem. “
The NFL’s decision to ban kneeling comes after the league saw a decline in its ratings last year after some of its players kneeled repeatedly throughout the season during the national anthem which drew sharp criticism from President Donald Trump.