The National Football Leagues has finally started to lay the foundation for how they are going to address anthem protests moving forward and the league will do so by way of fines.
The NFL passed a rule on Wednesday that will fine teams for what is perceived as disrespect of the American flag or the national anthem.
Per an official league statement:
“1. All team and league personnel on the field shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.
“2. The Game Operations Manual will be revised to remove the requirement that all players be on the field for the Anthem.
“3. Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room or in a similar location off the field until after the Anthem has been performed.
“4. A club will be fined by the League if its personnel are on the field and do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.
“5. Each club may develop its own work rules, consistent with the above principles, regarding its personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.
“6. The Commissioner will impose appropriate discipline on league personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.”
“We want people to stand. We do believe that moment is important to focus on” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.