NFL owners have just voted to change the league's policy on the National Anthem.
Starting next season, if players are on the field, they will be required to show the flag and anthem "appropriate respect." However, they will also be allowed to sit the anthem out in the locker room if they want. If a player violates the rule, the team will be fined by the league and the team and the league can also discipline the player.
Here is the NFL's new anthem policy pic.twitter.com/dStoHDOUNz
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) May 23, 2018
The league had considered a 15-yard penalty for kneeling during the anthem, but that isn't happening.
The NFL Players Association is not happy with the rule change, which came with a near-unanimous vote of the owners.
“The vote by NFL club CEOs today contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Chariman of the NFL’s Management Council John Mara about the principles, values and patriotism of our League," the union said in a statement. “Our union will review the new ‘policy’ and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement.”
What do you think of the new policy?