On Wednesday the NFL owners unanimously approved a new National Anthem policy. The new policy will require that anyone who is on the sidelines must stand for the National Anthem. It also no longer requires players to be on the field for the anthem.
Via Newsday:
The decision comes in the wake of criticism from many fans, as well as political figures including President Donald Trump, over the decision by a handful of players to kneel, sit or raise a fist during the anthem.
“Our objective as a league is that we want people to be respectful of the national anthem,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday at the NFL’s owners meetings. “We want people to stand and make sure they treat this moment in a respectful fashion.”
Vice President Mike Pence, who once left a game after the National Anthem when players protested, took to Twitter and celebrated with a #Winning tweet.
#Winning 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/aEJOCmB5lW
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) May 23, 2018
As expected, not everyone is as on board with the rules changes, including the NFL Player’s Association. The NFLPA had a tweet of their own that says they will plan to challenge any parts of the new rules that aren’t consistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Get ready for a ton of continued National Anthem talk.
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) May 23, 2018