Controversy Over New NFL Policy

The NFL has a new policy on National Anthem protests.

Back in 2009, NFL leadership boldly proclaimed that any and all players who were disrespectful to the flag wouldn’t play. Ultimately, they maintained that every player must stand on the field during the National Anthem.

NFL owners have now decided to amend that rule—but only to quell the protests sparked by Colin Kaepernick.  Kaepernick sat out during multiple renditions of the National Anthem, and he was subsequently called out for it, starting a nationwide controversy.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Protests continued and expanded, with many more NFL players kneeling during the song—a quiet, but very powerful protest against police brutality and racial inequities in the justice system. These protests angered many, but they did give a clear platform to their demonstration.

Some look at the flag and see all the opportunity and resources that the United States can provide. Others, meanwhile, look at the flag and see how the country has hindered them, suppressed their voice, killed their loved ones…. Now why can’t players  have a choice to sit out, or kneel during the national anthem?

The new policy enacted by the NFL would allow players to stay in the locker room during “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Still, if players decide to take the field for the National Anthem, they are required to stand.

The change was approved in a meeting with only the NFL owners in attendance; no players were present, or had any say in the policy. It was obvious that the owners just wanted to put this all behind them and suppress a movement that, from their perspective, got out of hand.

After so many protests and clear demonstrations, is this the end result? Those players that are protesting and advocating can no longer do so in the public eye. It really isn’t fair; it literally puts a cap on the movement.

While it may be a (very) small step in the right direction, don’t we need a push for more?

Featured Image via: Flickr/Keith Allison