All NFL Players 'Shall Stand And Show Respect' For Flag And Anthem, League Says
The NFL Players Association says the athletes were not consulted about the policy. Anyone who doesn't want to stand can stay in the locker room, the NFL says.
Unveiling a new policy after months of controversy and debate over players taking a knee or otherwise making statements during the national anthem, the NFL says all of its athletes and staff "shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem" if they're on the field.
"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," the league said in its new policy.
The possibility, "The NFL chose to not consult the union in the development of this new 'policy.' "
