NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Wednesday that teams will be fined if any of their players decide to protest during the national anthem while they're on the field

The NFL was slammed by several prominent voices within pro football on Wednesday after commissioner Roger Goodell touted a new policy aimed at ending the controversial protests during the national anthem by threatening teams with fines.

Not only did the NFL Players Association accuse the league of failing to adhere to the collective bargaining agreement, but several owners weighed in on the side of players who wish to protest inequality and police brutality by refusing to stand during the national anthem.

The NFL's new rule, announced Wednesday in Atlanta, permits entire teams and individual players to choose to stay in the locker room during the national anthem, but calls for franchises to be fined for any mode of disrespect. The teams have the option of fining players who do anything deemed disrespectful while on the field when the anthem is being played.

Since 2009, the NFL had required all team personnel be on the field during the anthem.

New York Jets chairman Christopher Johnson did vote did vote with the majority of owners on Wednesday, but that does not mean he will stop players from protesting.

Chris Johnson (center) said he will not fine any Jets players for protesting during the anthem

Johnson said he plans to meet with coach Todd Bowles to discuss a plan for the 2018 season

Instead, Johnson said the Jets will cover any fines the league levies against them but will not respond by fining the protesting individuals.

'I do not like imposing any club-specific rules,' Johnson told Newsday. 'If somebody [on the Jets] takes a knee, that fine will be borne by the organization, by me, not the players. I never want to put restrictions on the speech of our players.

'Do I prefer that they stand? Of course,' he continued. 'But I understand if they felt the need to protest. There are some big, complicated issues that we're all struggling with, and our players are on the front lines. I don't want to come down on them like a ton of bricks, and I won't. There will be no club fines or suspensions or any sort of repercussions. If the team gets fined, that's just something I'll have to bear.'

Johnson plans to huddle with Jets coach Todd Bowles and the team's players at his first opportunity.

Johnson's older brother Woody is the team's owner and a supporter of President Donald Trump, who has been very critical of protesting players. Woody Johnson now serves as the U.S. ambassador to the U.K.

The NFL Players Association responded to the new rule on Wednesday afternoon

'Even without those fines, this is going to be tough on the players, and I want a chance to speak with the coaches and other players to get feedback on this policy and to build on the good work and momentum that we have built up on these issues of social justice, on legislation, and all the things that we can do,' he said.

49ers owner Jed York did not vote on Wednesday because he felt players and officials were not included in the decision

Another owner, San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York, said he abstained from an otherwise unanimous vote on the final day of the owner's meetings because he felt players and officials should have direct input on the matter.

In October, he said he supported players - including former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and safety Eric Reid - and their right to protest.

'We encourage [players] to stand, but we're not requiring you to do anything,' he said. 'You can express yourself, but we want you to stand because you want to stand. ... And we want to make our country and our communities a better place - not because you're forcing us to, but because we're compelled to.'

The controversy began two years ago when Kaepernick sat during the national anthem before a preseason game. He has remained a free agent since March of 2017 and is suing the league for allegedly colluding against him in retaliation for his political stance.

Steelers owner Art Rooney said teams could be fined if players hold a fist over their head or lock arms during the anthem. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said there is no fine schedule for anthem-related penalties and that owners will know disrespect 'when we see it.'

The controversial issue exploded two years ago after then-San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick (center) refused to stand to protest inequality and police brutality