While the anthem continued to be a game-day fixture, NFL players typically stayed in the locker room for it. In recent months, the sports world has become a magnet for divisive politics following the May death of George Floyd, whose neck was knelt on by a Minneapolis police officer for nearly nine minutes during an arrest. Other players, including U.S. Women’s Soccer star Megan Rapinoe, have joined in on the protest since then as well. Many people have passionate views on whether the decision to kneel or refuse to stand during the national anthem is appropriate. Here is a look at a few of the critical points from each side. 1. Jaguars vs. Signed, we the people. (At least in Kansas City) While the Houston Texans chose to stay in the locker room, the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs stayed on the field and stood for the national anthem. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Their coach, Frank Reich, knelt during the national anthem as his players stood. “The specific rule pertaining to the national anthem is found on pages A62-63 of the NFL League Rulebook. Lineman Alejandro Villanueva was praised by many right-wing Americans after he was the only Pittsburg Steelers player to stand for the national anthem during Sunday’s game against the … Hill stood for the anthem during a Chicago Red Star’s soccer game and the photo quickly went viral. The NFL has been inconsistent with its rules about kneeling during the national anthem. By CNN. The protests began in the National Football League (NFL) after San Francisco 49ers quarterback (QB) Colin Kaepernick sat during the anthem, as opposed to the tradition of standing, before his team's third preseason game of 2016. During 2016, several professional athletes protested police brutality during the United States (U.S.) national anthem. NFL players must stand during the National Anthem this season, team owners decided Wednesday, a reaction to fierce backlash against some who took a knee in symbolic opposition to the systemic oppression of people of color, including by police. NFL protests continue 01:52. Your inbox? Tampa Bay had two players kneel during the anthem… Gwendolyn Berry, third place, turns away from U.S. flag during the U.S. National Anthem as DeAnna Price, first place, and Brooke Andersen, second place, also stand … "We want people to be respectful of the national anthem," commissioner Roger Goodell said. He had sat in silence for far too long. The NFL revised their national anthem polices in 2018, after Kaepernick’s protest spread. Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks says many more NFL players would have joined Colin Kaepernick in kneeling for the national anthem, but they worried about losing their jobs. On Wednesday, the NFL announced that players must either stand for the national anthem when it is played at their games or remain in the locker room; if they come onto the field but don’t stand, their teams will be fined. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) … Fox New’s Outnumbered panel slammed U.S. Olympic Trials bronze medal-winning hammer thrower Gwen Berry for her appeared resentment and protest to the national anthem playing as she stood … Jets. In September 2016, President Barack Obama stated that Kaepernick was "exercising his constitutional right" to protest. Kneeling during the national anthem at NFL games became a divisive issue starting in 2016, when Colin Kaepernick began kneeling as a member of the 49ers. Claim: NFL player “stood alone" while his whole team stayed in the locker room during the national anthem, “a real American patriot!” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that the league thinks "everyone should stand for the national anthem. NFL decides against a rule requiring players to stand for the anthem Owners and league personnel met with NFLPA representatives and players to … Drew Brees’ recent criticism of national anthem protests sparked outrage on social media, and led many star NFL players to announce they plan to protest later this year when the season begins. As of now, the NFL officially prohibits player protests during the national anthem. I think he cares about some real, legitimate issues that have to be talked about. Another user, Clay Travis from Nashville expressed his upset with the Baltimore Ravens. Gwendolyn Berry (L), third place, turns away from U.S. flag during the U.S. National Anthem as DeAnna Price (C), first place, and Brooke Andersen, second place, also stand on the podium after the Women's Hammer Throw final on day nine of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 26, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. This meme reads, “No NFL player stood for the national anthem until 2009 – before then, the players stayed in the locker room as the anthem played. Giants team stands for 'Black National Anthem' before NFL game. Colin Kaepernick started the kneeling trend during the 2016 NFL … Steelers player who stood for national anthem has top-selling jersey. 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. That's an important part of our policy." The Jets and Bill instead opted to … NFL players will be allowed to remain in the locker room for the national anthem, but those who choose to be on the field must show "respect," according to the new policy. And then most of the team kneeled for the national anthem. Approximately 20 players on the New York team knelt during the national anthem. NFL Should Drop National Anthem, Embrace Change. According to Outkick: Reds third baseman Alex Blandino and Pirates pitcher Luis Oviedo stood and kept their hand on their hearts even after the national anthem ended in a competition of their own … and it lasted for almost 10 minutes. NFL teams got patriotic in recent years because it was good for business. 'The Ravens stood for the black national anthem. Sports The two sides of the US national anthem protests in the NFL. August 1, 2017. Together, 80.7% of the NFL fans surveyed were indifferent (27.7%), agreed (18.7%) or strongly agreed (34.6%) that they preferred NFL players stand during the national anthem. The patriotic outburst following the singing of the national anthem was far greater than the upheaval of emotion which greeted Babe Ruth, the Boston southpaw, when … A 2015 congressional report revealed that the Department of Defense had paid $5.4 million to NFL teams between 2011 and 2014 to stage on-field patriotic ceremonies; the National … Timeline of NFL protests during the national anthem. Hicks said he believes the majority of players who stood for the anthem were thinking that if they didn’t, it would end their careers. ESPN reports that all the players then stood while the anthem … Standing for the national anthem is a way to honor those who fought and died. After President Donald Trump criticized NFL players who lodge pregame protests, more than 100 players protested during the national anthem in Week 3. The Steelers tackle was the only member of his team on the field for the national … In … As Jordin Sparks’ rendition of the national anthem swelled … No NFL player stood for the national anthem until 2009—before then, the players stayed in the locker room as the anthem played. Several NFL teams stayed off the field when the national anthem was played before their Week 2 games. The New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, … Two players on the San Francisco 49ers sat during the anthem. During the national anthem of the NFL game, players and coaches from both teams stood side-by-side inside FirstEnergy Stadium, many with their arms linked. Boeing 777 engine failure: Here's what we know about the United flight that suffered engine damage near … As of now, the NFL officially prohibits player protests during the national anthem.