NFL Policy on the National Anthem Changes...

May 23, 2018—The NFL owners approved a new and somewhat controversial national anthem policy. Players would now be required to stand if they choose to be on the field for pre-game presentations. Of course, that also gave them the option to remain in the locker room during the anthem. This policy did not remain in effect for very long due to negative publicity and changes in public perception.

Team owners implemented the NFL National Anthem policy of 2018 in response to widespread player protests during the pre-game playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." These protests, which began in 2016 with Colin Kaepernick kneeling to raise awareness about racial injustice and police brutality, had grown to involve many players across the league by the 2017 season, drawing significant national attention and controversy.

The 2018 policy aimed to strike a balance between respecting players' rights and addressing concerns from fans and others who viewed the protests as disrespectful to the flag and military. The key provision of the policy stated that all players and league personnel on the field were required to stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem. However, it also allowed players who did not wish to stand to remain in the locker room until the anthem's conclusion, without penalty.

Importantly, the policy granted individual NFL teams the authority to establish their own rules regarding on-field conduct during the anthem. If a player chose to protest on the sideline, their team would be subject to a fine from the league. Teams then had the discretion to impose their own disciplinary actions, including fines, on the protesting players. The NFL described the policy as a compromise intended to refocus attention on the game while allowing players to express their views. However, the policy was criticized by some players and the NFL Players Association, who argued that it infringed on players' rights to freedom of speech and was implemented without adequate consultation with the union. The policy's enforcement and impact remained a topic of discussion in subsequent NFL seasons.