Posted on 10/10/2017 11:54:15 AM PDT by Enlightened1
A league spokesman said owners will consider player input on the issue, but suggested that a rule change would not require player approval.
The National Football League’s owners will discuss next week whether to unilaterally change league policy and require players to stand during the national anthem.
The decision to consider the change came after weeks of persistent criticism from President Donald Trump about players protesting during the anthem, including his call for fans to boycott games if the demonstrations continue. On Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence left an Indianapolis Colts game after members of the San Francisco 49ers took a knee during the anthem.
In a conference call on Tuesday, NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said league officials, owners, fans, and likely certain players are frustrated that the issue has dominated the game in recent weeks. He said owners will consider player input on the issue, but suggested that a rule change would not require player approval.
“I don’t believe that the anthem per se is something that needs to be collectively bargained,” Lockhart said.
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith has said that league official assured him that players who did not stand for the national anthem would not face penalties.
If the policy is changed, however, players that protest could face discipline from the league.
The NFL manual on game operations says players “should” stand during the national anthem. It does not say they “must” stand, even though that word is used in numerous instances in the manual regarding player behavior during games.
Lockart’s comments followed by hours more tweets from the president assailing the league for not disciplining players who protest during the national anthem.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
Go President Trump!
More WINNING!!!
And I am still not even remotely tired.
What is there to discuss?
Stand for the anthem or take your stinking league to another country.
Exactly!
I love how the Owners too are making sure the players have no vote.
I guess they are concerned the players will not agree?
Too late. They didn’t give a damn about our flag or our country, but they ARE concerned about losing money. Too bad.
So they’re trying to decide if they’re patriotic or not.
And if they stand begrudgingly, should we still fund them? Our policy as Americans should be: BURN IT DOWN.
All y'all who took a bite out of their bottom line or used social media to show your disdain, you did this.
I've never been a football fan, so they did not miss me...
Well done!
Yes!!!
They are doing this reluctantly because it’s costing them money.
Not because they are sincere, and love this country.
Sorry NFL too late.
Loss of viewers- check. Toss in higher taxes, and these owners will be hurting.
I must say that Donald Trump is sacking and tackling very very well....
He has absolutely brought the NFL around full circle. Pretty soon they will beg for mercy.
But, the damage is done, and people like me will NEVER come back.
Don’t mess with Trump... He speaks/twitters loudly and uses a big stick...
Only after Trump threatens to throw out NFL tax exempt status.
I see them announcing “strong encouragement” to stand (and link arms if desired) for the anthem while respecting players’ First Amendment “rights” that “forces” no one to do anything, and an approving (or disapproving) quote from Cupcake Kaepernick’s BLM manager.
They will then claim victory and bash Trump.
“He has absolutely brought the NFL around full circle. Pretty soon they will beg for mercy.”
I just don’t see it.
Leftists for more than eight years when cornered just double down like their god the Fraud taught them.
I stand voluntarily, out of respect.
The policy isn’t the problem for me. The problem is that I have seen that the NFL has hate and disdain for the America I love.
Forcing them to stand against, under duress, doesn’t fix this.
Translated: they are hurting big time.
Sad note: I am sure VP Mike Pence wanted to be in Indianapolis Colts game where Peyton Manning was honored on Sunday.
I am certain that former Indiana Governor Mike Pence was miffed at missing the game honoring Peyton Manning.
Anyone who claims Mike Pence did a PR STUNT needs to a have a chat with Peyton Manning (and some of his former lineman equipped with brass knuckles (OOps! Guys 6'5" 320 lbs do not need anything to pound dimwit liberal broadcasters/reporters into the ground).
“I must say that Donald Trump is sacking and tackling very very well....”
No facemasking, no blindside tackles, no clipping. Trump takes’em head on.
If they thought it was an important issue, they would be meeting right now not next week. Waiting until then is more empty seats, more viewers lost, more debate on how stupid the owners are and the league. They don’t think it is important, I don’t think the league is important either.
Too late
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.