NFL To Require Players To Stand For National Anthem Or Stay In Locker Room

The NFL officially passed new national anthem rules Wednesday after two years of protests.

Players will be required to stand or stay in the locker room. Players who disrespect the anthem on the field can be punished, but teams are allowed to cultivate their own way to deal with that problem if it were to arise.

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Here is the NFL’s new national anthem policy: pic.twitter.com/ybjKoO6E3s

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 23, 2018

This was unanimously adopted by the teams, Roger Goodell said. “We want people to stand. We do believe that moment is important to focus on.” Also added he wanted to give players options. https://t.co/iUCYamJZco

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 23, 2018

Well, that didn’t take long at all after news broke that the change was on its way. (RELATED: NFL EXPECTED TO PASS A RULE REQUIRING PLAYERS TO STAND FOR THE ANTHEM)

Now, we sit and wait. Let me be crystal clear at this moment because this is no longer speculation. These are the rules we’re dealing with.

I would tell every single player that chooses to stay in the locker room to stay there for the rest of the damn game. If you can’t join your teammates on the field for the anthem, then you don’t need to join them when the game begins. This isn’t a fine or suspension. That’s simply a coach making a decision.

This has gone on far too long, and it’s time to move on. Hopefully, this gets the job done. If not, I would suggest some harsher penalties.

THE SMOKE ROOM