The NFL has reached what it believes is a compromise for how to handle national anthem protests, though many people feel it could lead to more issues going forward.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the new policy, which the league is expected to announce on Wednesday afternoon, states that players are allowed to remain in the locker room during the national anthem but discourages protesting. If players kneel or engage in other political demonstrations, their teams will reportedly be fined.
Anthem resolution is likely to be announced this afternoon, and it is expected to allow players to stay in the locker room during anthem and fine teams for any flag/anthem disrespect, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 23, 2018
The new policy is also expected to leave it up to teams to decide if they want to force players to be on the sideline during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A previous report indicated that kneeling could lead to an actual game penalty, but it does not sound like that will be the case.
As you might expect, people on social media had mixed reactions:
Five NFL owners, Snyder, McNair, Kroenke, Kraft, Khan and Johnson, donated $1M each to Trump's inauguration. Trump blasted the league over players kneeling. A policy on the anthem is inherently political, and it's about appeasement.
— Jane McManus (@janesports) May 23, 2018
However you feel about the anthem demonstrations, it's hard to see how this is "compromise." Irresponsible to even suggest it.
The point of the players demonstrating was to stage a protest people could see. This policy would penalize them for that. https://t.co/PBYkzWI1RR
— Aaron Kasinitz (@AaronKazreports) May 23, 2018
This is not a compromise. This is erasing the protest and proceeding with the white supremacist status quo. Typical. #AnthemPolicy https://t.co/rGQ8m3majW
— SUJ (@SujOfficial) May 23, 2018
Looks like a compromise on the National Anthem. https://t.co/0CvvYUCGdH
— Keith G. Wallace (@Kgwace) May 23, 2018
Ridiculous. Is standing or sitting for the national anthem not essentially an extension of freedom of speech? https://t.co/EnI9V8kfB7
— Yanny (@yanbouz88) May 23, 2018
Some called for sports teams to simply stop playing the national anthem before events.
Here's my idea for the national anthem protests. Stop playing the anthem before sports.
— Jim Lyons (@JimmyFausto) May 23, 2018
Or here's an idea: don't play the National Anthem before sporting events at all.
— Tom Hyde (@tomh1138) May 23, 2018
The danger with the new policy is there seems to still be a lot of room for interpretation. What constitutes “disrespect” to the American flag? Players have come up with political demonstrations that don’t involve kneeling during the anthem, so will those result in a fine? Something tells us the debate will rage on in 2018.
