NFL owners passed a new policy Wednesday with the hopes of moving on from boycotts and political turmoil related to some players protesting by not standing during the national anthem before games.

Under the new policy, NFL players are not required to be on the field during the national anthem, and players "who choose not to stand for the Anthem" may stay in the locker room or somewhere else out of view until after the anthem.

RELATED: A short history of the national anthem, protests and the NFL

"A club will be fined by the League if its personnel are on the field and do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem," the policy states.

And here is policy statement from NFL. In short, players not wishing to stand and show respect to flag during anthem may wait in locker room or otherwise off the field. pic.twitter.com/fJiB9xUZzb — Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 23, 2018

The issue came to the forefront nationally early last year when President Donald Trump made comments critical of players protesting during the anthem. Players, many protesting the treatment of minorities by law enforcement personnel, attempted to make it clear that their actions were not intended as unpatriotic or disrespectful of military personnel, but it has remained an issue.

Here’s statement from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on new policy regarding protests and national anthem before games: pic.twitter.com/d8IYd9kg31 — Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 23, 2018

"We are dedicated to continuing our collaboration with players to advance the goals of justice and fairness in all corners of our society," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "The efforts by many of our players sparked awareness and action around issues of social justice that must be addressed. … It was unfortunate that on-field protests created a false perception among many that thousands of NFL players were unpatriotic. This is not and was never the case."

And the response from NFLPA: https://t.co/UtQrA407YM — Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 23, 2018

The NFL Players Association issued a statement in response to the new policy, stating that the union was not consulted in the implementation of the new policy.

"NFL players have shown their patriotism through the military and law enforcement and yes, through their protests to raise awareness about the issues they are about," the NFLPA statement read.

The NFLPA said the policy contradicts statements made by Goodell about "the principles, values and patriotism of our League." The union will review the policy and "challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement."

The Bucs had a low level of player protests — receiver Mike Evans sat during the anthem before one 2016 game in protest of Trump's election as president, and Evans and receiver DeSean Jackson kneeled in protest before one 2017 game in Minnesota, when the player protests were at their peak.

The Bucs did not immediately have a statement on the new policy.