While only a handful of players were engaged in the racial inequality-based protests at the end of last season, owners are discussing this issue extensively at the latest set of meetings this week. As of Tuesday night, no agreement is imminent, Judy Battista of NFL.com reports (on Twitter), but more discussion is on tap for Wednesday. And some potential resolutions have surfaced.
The prospect of the NFL leaving this issue up to individual teams was rumored earlier this month, but an odd wrinkle of protests actually affecting games came up on Tuesday. SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets owners discussed that if the home team decides this game will feature teams coming out for the anthem instead of remaining in the locker room, 15-yard penalties will ensue for a team that has players kneeling.
As could be expected, this proposition received steady criticism on social media. One owner told the Los Angeles Daily News’ Vincent Bonsignore a player’s decision to kneel during the anthem leading to a 15-yard penalty is “the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard” (Twitter link).
Nevertheless, John Mara expects a resolution by Wednesday (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk does not expect this resolution to be well-received, writing that the NFL gave players the right to protest and affirmed it the past two seasons. Ending it now without a negotiation will cause problems.
One owner added, via Battista, he doesn’t believe the NFL is eager to create a uniform policy here after the controversy has diminished, to some degree, since it exploded last season after President Donald Trump’s attack on protesting players in September. This led to mass protests in Week 3. This owner told Battista he believes not much good can be accomplished by alienating players or the president by implementing an edict this week. However, Battista adds other owners are concerned about heading into the 2018 season without a policy. The next set of owners’ meetings are in October, and some among the owners fear another news development could leave the league flat-footed if more players take up protests. An owner also told Battista the “let the teams sort this out” is probably not a viable long-term policy, either, putting the owners who want the NFL to change its current policy in a tough spot.
The league’s current policy was formed in 2009. It encourages players to stand during the playing of the anthem but doesn’t require it. Roughly a third of the owners want that policy to stay in place, per Jim Trotter of NFL.com (on Twitter), and five or six of this contingent wants individual teams to set the policy. Trotter adds several owners agree change must happen, with some being uncertain of what is best here, and some said keeping players in the locker room during the anthem is best (Twitter link). Twenty-four votes are required for a new policy to pass.
Florio adds that the owners appear to be merely hoping this issue goes away and hoping Trump, whom he notes many among this group do not hold in high regard, stops bringing this issue up. Florio does not expect that to happen, regardless of what is decided this week. A persistent critic of these protests, Jerry Jones said (via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, on Twitter) he indeed wants this issue to go away so the NFL can “move forward where we’ve got our eye on making the NFL and anybody that’s interested in it thinking about what’s going on on the field.”
It’s simple. Stand up or get out of the country. Stand for the anthem, kneel for the cross.
10,000 upvotes and today’s internet are hereby awarded to you!
Hope that wasn’t sarcasm. You never know with he people on here.
You are the people on here
This is a terribly close-minded take. Do you not know what this country represents? The fact that people can peacefully protest makes it good. Taking away that right is definitely not the way to go
“Kneel for the cross” ?
What’s that supposed to mean?
That’s the most unamerican thing I’ve ever heard. This is a free country. We should have the right to protest. Now, that being said, the NFL has the right to set rules that require players to stand, so that’s their prerogative. By the way, did you know that prior to 2009 players were not even in the field during the national anthem? do you know why they are now? That’s because the Department of Defense is paying the NFL millions of our hard earned money that we pay in taxes so they can make propaganda for military recruitment. That’s what should be debated. Let the players kneel if they want, maybe even find out why they choose to kneel. After that make a decision if you agree with them or not. They don’t kneel because they’re not patriotic, they kneel because they are.
They should force them to kneel
no they should be forced to stand
No I think kneeing would look cooler
NFL should look at NBA and see how they address this (non-existent) issue:
NBA: “Players, coaches and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the national anthem.”
NBA even sent a recent memo, reinforcing the rule:
“Individual teams do not have the “discretion to waive” the rule that players, coaches and staff stand for the anthem. The league has the discretion to discipline players who violate the rule.” link to espn.com (Sept, 2017)
NFL could learn a lot from the NBA, in how to address this. This should be simple to fix yet Goddell drags it on and on, not helping with this insulting 15 yards penalty offer. He’s treating this, like a joke.
Here are some questions:
Why is the anthem even played at most sporting events? What actual tie (other than a patriotic demonstration) is there?
Why if it so important is the anthem played at some sporting events but not all sporting events at the high school, college and professional levels?
If sports is “entertainment” then why is the anthem played before every play, concert or dance recital?
If they go with the 15 yard penalty I hope that teams just take the penalty. Not because I think they should kneel, but more just because it’s a ridiculous outcome.
Even though im all for standing and im against kneeling , this entire thing has become a joke. The games gonna become 2nd fiddle to politics.