Share
Sports

NFL reportedly approves new 'compromise' anthem policy

Share

[jwplayer LZGuXdKR-01Ju7kF1]

NFL owners have passed a new policy on national anthem protests, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Wednesday morning.

According to ESPN, the new policy will mandate that players who are on the sidelines for the playing of the national anthem must stand.

However, the policy also gives the players the choice of staying in the locker room and not participating.

Justifiably, numerous NFL pundits and fans are calling it a “compromise.”

Trending:
Fani Willis Throws a Tantrum to Jim Jordan as Contempt Deadline Arrives

NFL owners can boast that they’re forcing players to stand for the national anthem, hence they’re “doing something.” But by that same token, players who want to protest the anthem will still have the option to do so, albeit in a less visible forum.

To go along with the new policy, the NFL will be instituting disciplinary action to enforce the rules.

The NFL will fine any team whose players are seen kneeling, sitting or otherwise not showing “appropriate respect” for the national anthem. On top of that, each team will have the capacity to fine players further for an anthem violation.

Do you like the NFL's "compromise" policy on national anthem protests?

The new policy reportedly has the support of 24 team owners.

The NFL Players Association, on the other hand, doesn’t seem so willing to jump on board.

“We were not consulted ahead of this meeting on any potential changes to the anthem policy. If there are changes to the policy that put players in a position where they could be disciplined or fined, we are going to do what we always do — fight anything that encroaches on players’ rights to the end,” George Attalah, assistant executive director of external affairs for the NFLPA, said in a statement via ESPN. Attalah further lambasted the policy change on Twitter.

Of note, because the policy change is an adjustment to the NFL’s game operation manual, it does not need to be collectively bargained.

Related:
Taylor Swift Search Results Jump 351% After Fans Notice Travis Kelce's Viral New Look

The previous policy on the national anthem only suggested that players “should” stand for the anthem.

The controversy surrounding national anthem protests was sparked by then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016. It has since grown into a big enough issue that President Donald Trump has addressed it on numerous occasions.

The NFL is currently embroiled in two separate collusion grievances. Both Kaepernick and his former teammate Eric Reid have filed collusion grievances against the league through the NFLPA.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
,
Share
Bryan Chai has written news and sports for The Western Journal for more than five years and has produced more than 1,300 stories. He specializes in the NBA and NFL as well as politics.
Bryan Chai has written news and sports for The Western Journal for more than five years and has produced more than 1,300 stories. He specializes in the NBA and NFL as well as politics. He graduated with a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. He is an avid fan of sports, video games, politics and debate.
Birthplace
Hawaii
Education
Class of 2010 University of Arizona. BEAR DOWN.
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, Korean
Topics of Expertise
Sports, Entertainment, Science/Tech




Conversation