XFL returns: Eagles react as Vince McMahon bans protests during national anthem

PHILADELPHIA -- The reboot of Vince McMahon's XFL will require players to stand during the National Anthem prior to games. 

The NFL has drawn outrage from fans over the past two years when players used the anthem to protest criminal justice reform and demonstrate against police brutality by kneeling or raising fists. 

Those demonstrations won't be allowed in the XFL, which plans to start play in 2020. 

Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith has repeatedly explained why he raised his fist during the anthem this season, and says he respects the XFL's policy but hopes fans will see the purpose of what players were trying to accomplish with their demonstrations. 

"That's their league's rule," Smith told NJ Advance Media on Friday. "If they're going with that mentality to try and protect themselves from what the NFL had to deal with, I guess that's their prerogative. 

"No one is protesting the national anthem. It's not a National Anthem protest. It's a protest that happens during the national anthem, against systematic oppression and a bunch of different things that we're dealing with out here. I wish people would understand that, and then maybe people wouldn't be so offended by it." 

How NJ's Malcolm Jenkins plans to shakeup the Super Bowl

Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins has protested during the anthem while also being one of the movement's leaders who met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. He also is a supporter of local legislation seeking criminal justice reform. 

He raised his during Week 2 of the 2016 regular season through Week 13 of this season. 

Jenkins says he hopes that the XFL will allow its players to use their platform to better their communities and promote social causes. 

"It's exactly what the NBA has in place," Jenkins told NJ Advance Media. "I hope that in light of that, they still would be open as a corporation and business to allow their players to get active in their communities, and have an impact in whatever way they see fit." 

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoPHL.