The NFL unveiled a new national anthem policy back in May that was met with a great deal of criticism, and no new guidelines have been agreed upon after the NFL Players Association filed an official grievance. Apparently that is the way it will stay, at least for the 2018 season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the NFL will not implement a new national anthem policy this year. The NFL and NFLPA recently released a joint statement saying they “remain committed to working together on solutions,” but those solutions are still a long way away.
“Too many people have stances too strong to figure out a compromise, although talks will continue on the topic,” Schefter said.
The policy that was released in May would have required players to stand for the anthem if they chose to be on the field. The policy gave them the option of remaining in the locker room during “The Star-Spangled Banner” but stated that any player who chose to kneel or protest would be subject to a fine.
After the new policy was ripped by several players, the NFL decided to walk it back. It remains unclear if players will kneel in 2018 and how such protests will be handled by their respective teams.
