NFL Makes New Policy Requiring Players To Stand For The National Anthem

May 23, 2018 Kayla Pasacreta

By: Kayla Pasacreta

photo via USA Today

In a statement today from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL officially announced a new policy that will require all players and personnel on the field to stand for the National Anthem. The new policy will allow players to stay in the locker room during the national anthem, and will not fine any players who choose to kneel. However, teams can be fined if they have many players who attempt to sit or kneel. In the statement, the NFL says the policy will "promote positive social change in our communities."

1. All team and league personnel on the field shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem. 2. The Game Operations Manual will be revised to remove the requirement that all players be on the field for the Anthem. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. The Commissioner will impose appropriate discipline on league personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.

the NFL

Unsurprisingly, the new policy is met with mixed reviews and strong opposition.

It's no secret that the move was made to limit political controversy that was first sparked by Colin Kaepernick, but many critics say the policy is an infringement on player's rights. The move can easily backfire, and recenter attention on player protests and even motivate some to continue boycotting the NFL. According to Bleacher Report, an unnamed NFL official stated off the record, " Our league is f--king terrified of Trump. We're scared of him." The owners of the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons have both vowed to dismiss the policy and pay the fines for their players to continue to kneel.

The policy ironically comes on the same day as the release of body cam footage showing Sterling Brown aggressively arrested and tased by Milwaukee police officers. The Milwaukee Bucks used the moment to make a powerful political statement of their own,

The abuse and intimidation that Sterling experienced at the hands of Milwaukee Police was shameful and inexcusable. Sterling has our full support as he shares his story and takes action to provide accountability. Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated case. It shouldn’t require an incident involving a professional athlete to draw attention to the fact that vulnerable people in our communities have experienced similar, and even worse, treatment. We are grateful for the service of many good police officers that courageously protect us, our fans and our city, but racial biases and abuses of power must not be ignored. There needs to be more accountability. The Milwaukee Police Department and local officials have acknowledged the challenges they are working to address, and we urge them to enact higher standards and more direct accountability. We all want to be able to trust each and every officer serving to protect us. Incidents like this remind us of the injustices that persist. As an organization, we will support Sterling and build on our work with local leaders and organizations to foster safe neighborhoods and better our community.

The Milwaukee Bucks statement on Sterling Brown

Goodell stood by his position, stating, "We want people to be respectful of the national anthem...We want people to stand -- that's all personnel -- and make sure they treat this moment in a respectful fashion. That's something we think we owe. [But] we were also very sensitive to give players choices."