There’s A Ruling On The Field For NFL Kneeling
The NFL has spoken.
Made popular by Colin Kaepernick, kneeling on the field during the National Anthem became a protest and movement based on racial injustice and police brutality, but now the NFL is seeking to put a kebash on it happening, period.
The statement from the NFL’s Commissioner Roger Goodell shared that the players were never communicating any unpatriotism by doing this – but it is now expected that all league and team personnel are now to stand and show respect for the National Anthem, and those who don’t?
“Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room until after the Anthem has been performed.”
Among his statement, it’s also shared the membership of the 32 clubs in the National Football League are to remain strong and work alongside players to strengthen and advance social justice, with the following bullet points:
- All team and league personnel on the field shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.
- The Game Operations Manual will be revised to remove the requirement that all players be on the field for the Anthem.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Commissioner will impose appropriate discipline on league personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.
Some took to the internet to then raise the question, including NBC Sports: “If Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid can’t get hired because they won’t commit to standing for the anthem, Wednesday’s uncompromising compromise fashioned by owners who fear a tweet or an base-inspiring rally remark removes the last impediment to their unemployment, right?”
Time will tell if Kaep and Reid will end up back on the field.
Amy Cooper is one with the force and the force is with her.
