NFL’s National Anthem Policy: Should The League Have Left This Alone?

The NFL is changing its rules to stop players from kneeling during the national anthem.

One team is already pushing back against the policy.
The CEO of the New York Jets says he will support players who choose not to stand on the sidelines and pay any fines the league issues.

The NFL’s new policy demands players and team personnel must stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem if they are on the sidelines.
If a player doesn’t stand, the team will be fined, not the player.
The policy does allow players to stay in the locker room while the anthem plays.
Each franchise will also have the power to make its own policies, which could include fines for players who protest the anthem.

Sports Illustrated writer and WCCB News EDGE contributor Jonathan Jones was at the NFL owners meeting in Atlanta and asked Commissioner Roger Goodell the necessary follow-up questions.
Who will ultimately decide what is considered disrespect and why would the league try to police something so subjective?

“I think the general public has a very strong view of what respect for the flag is in that moment.” Goodell answered. “We have language in our policy that talks about that, standing at attention, hats off and focused and I think the general arbiter will be the clubs and the league and we’ll work with our players and get their viewpoint also.”

The NFL Players Association says it wasn’t consulted about the rule change.
It plans to review and possibly challenge the policy.
And though Goodell says the NFL owners agreed on the policy, the owner of the San Francisco 49ers abstained from the vote.