The NFL has announced a new policy after a season-long debate about the National Anthem.
The league has made it a requirement for players and league personnel to stand during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," but every team has been given the option to remain in the locker room.
The new National Anthem policy was announced at the NFL Owners’ Meetings in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The Voice of the Browns, Jim Donovan, talked about the league's new mandate during "Jimmy's Take" on Donovan Live. In Jimmy's mind, the NFL has pushed this controversial issue out of league headquarters and in the hands of team owners.
A club will be fined by the league should personnel be on the field and refuse to stand. Teams have the right to develop their own rules for personnel who do not stand for the Anthem, and the Commissioner has discretion to hand down “discipline on league personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.”
This issue may come around again in the NFL, but for now, Commissioner Roger Goodell seems content to let his owners deal with it.