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| The U.S. flag is seen during the national anthem before the the NFC Divisional round playoff game between New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings on January 14 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo |
By The Sports Xchange, UPI
NFL owners are attempting to revamp their national anthem policy and discussions took place Tuesday and will continue Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
The issue is a divisive one, with some feeling players not standing for the national anthem is disrespectful to, among others, the U.S. military. Others feel it is the players' right to protest perceived social injustice peacefully.
Regardless of which side of the fence owners are on, most agree the controversy is hurting the bottom line.
According to ESPN, some of the solutions discussed were: allowing each team to implement its own policy; clearing the field of all football personnel while the anthem is played; instructing players who don't want to stand to remain in the locker room while the anthem is played; imposing penalties on teams and players who do not stand, including a 15-yard penalty and/or fines; adding contract language that requires players to stand; and leaving the current policy in place.
"We've got a lot of things that we're trying to balance," Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, according to the Washington Post. "We have the interest in every constituency that's involved here, and the issues that are involved, and we recognize that with our visibility and the interest itself, it's taken a life of its own."
Current policy states players should stand, but it is not a requirement
"We get out and we ask the world: 'Don't turn your head. Look at us. Look over here," Jones added. "Look at the NFL. Look at everything we're doing.' And so, when we've got some issues that we've got to work through, we've got to realize that we've asked you to look, now, let's do as good as we can do."
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