The NFL Announces Its New National Anthem Policy

Teams and league personnel who do not “stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem,” will be fined the league announced Wednesday.

Players will have the choice to stay in the locker room during the national anthem, but if they choose to go out on the field, they “shall stand and show respect for the flag and Anthem.”

Per sources, one anthem idea being discussed: Leaving it up to home team on whether teams come out for the anthem; if teams do come out for the anthem, potential that teams could be assessed 15-yard penalties for kneeling.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 22, 2018

BOOM and it’s about time. If you want to disrespect our country and those who serve it, keep it off the field.

The teams agreed to the following requirements:

“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.”