NFL To Implement Penalties For Kneeling During National Anthem

NFL To Implement Penalties For Kneeling During National Anthem

Beginning this season, the NFL’s new National Anthem policy will end player on field protests’. On Wednesday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, announced that players will now have the option of remaining in the locker room during the pre-game playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” However, any players that take the sideline for the anthem must stand or otherwise be subjected to a fine. Teams can adopt their own policies for how to punish players who opt to protest on the sideline rather than remaining in the locker room. Additionally, teams can also can be fined by the league if players protest on the sideline.

Goodell explained,

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. We have been very sensitive in making sure we give players choices, but we do believe that that moment is important and one we are going to focus on.

He said the agreement was unanimously agreed on by owners, but Jed York of the 49ers said his team abstained. See the official statement below.

Statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell pic.twitter.com/1Vn7orTo1R

— NFL (@NFL) May 23, 2018

In 2016, then NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick chose to kneel during the national anthem as a form of protest against police brutality and racial inequality. By the start of the 2017 season, there were only a handful of protests during the anthem.

In September 2017, President Trump referred to a player who protested social injustice by kneeling during the national anthem as “son of a b*tch.” Many teams and players responded by participating in demonstrations that featured kneeling or standing with arms locked. Things reached a major breaking point with the loss of viewers. Time will tell how fans accept this new ruling.

By: TheDiamondKShow