Colts on NFL's new anthem policy: 'Obviously, we’re keeping an eye' on it

Lorenzo Reyes and Zak Keefer | USA Today

Confronting repeated protests during the playing of the national anthem over the past two seasons, the NFL on Wednesday mandated that players and team personnel present on the sideline “shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.”

The policy revision, which owners agreed to at a league meeting in Atlanta, allows players who do not wish to stand to remain in the locker room. Also under the revision, each franchise will have the power to issue its own policies, which could include fines for players protesting the anthem, under the "conduct detrimental" provision of the league’s personal conduct policy.

The league also now has the power to fine any franchise that has representatives who do not stand or "show respect" while on the sideline during the anthem.

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“We want people to be respectful to the national anthem,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a news conference. “We want people to stand. That’s all personnel, and make sure they treat this moment in a respectful fashion. That’s something we think we owe. We have been very sensitive in making sure we give players choices, but we do believe that that moment is important and one we are going to focus on.”

Colts comment on new national anthem policy Colts' head coach Frank Reich and quarterback Jacoby Brissett comment on the new NFL national anthem policy.

The Indianapolis Colts released a statement from owner Jim Irsay in response to an email requesting information on the team's policy.

“I, along with Colts players and employees, remain committed to utilizing our unique platform to address social issues and community ills in a positive manner," Irsay said. "The NFL’s new anthem policy and corresponding statement reinforces that commitment and our patriotism should never be in doubt.”

"Obviously, we’re keeping an eye (on it)," coach Frank Reich said during a previously scheduled media availability following a practice session. "Everything matters, everything is important. So the league comes down with a decision, we’ll deal with that organizationally as we get a chance to get together and develop our thinking and philosophy on it as well."

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Several Colts knelt in protest of social injustice during the national anthem in September after President Donald Trump's verbal attack on NFL players. Vice President Mike Pence walked out of a Colts game in October when members of the San Francisco 49ers protested during the anthem.

Wednesday, Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett said he wasn't aware of the news and would not be able to comment. "I just got off the field so it's kinda hard to just say something off emotions right now. I'll just wait to give a comment on that."

The players who knelt were following the exampleof former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who in last season chose to kneel during the national anthem as a form of protest against police brutality and racial inequality.

In a statement that announced the revision, Goodell wrote: “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.”

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The NFL Players Association has already taken issue with the policy, which was reached without the union present.

“The NFL chose to not consult the union in the development of this new ‘policy,’ ” the NFLPA said in a statement. “NFL players have shown their patriotism through their social activism, their community service, in support of our military and law enforcement and yes, through their protests to raise awareness about the issues they care about.

“The vote by NFL club CEOs today contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Chairman of the NFL’s Management Council John Mara about the principles, values and patriotism of our League.

“Our union will review the new ‘policy’ and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement.”

The text of Goodell's news release:

The 32 member clubs of the National Football League have reaffirmed their strong commitment to work alongside our players to strengthen our communities and advance social justice. The unique platform that we have created is unprecedented in its scope, and will provide extraordinary resources in support of programs to promote positive social change in our communities.

The membership also strongly believes that:

1. All team and league personnel on the field shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.

2. The Game Operations Manual will be revised to remove the requirement that all players be on the field for the Anthem.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Each club may develop its own work rules, consistent with the above principles, regarding its personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.

6. The Commissioner will impose appropriate discipline on league personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.​

Follow Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.