Owners approve anthem policy

Atlanta

NFL owners approved a new policy Wednesday aimed at addressing the furor over national anthem protests sparked by Colin Kaepernick and polarized by President Trump, permitting players to stay in the locker room during the "The Star-Spangled Banner" but requiring them to stand if they come to the field.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said the change was approved unanimously by the owners at their spring meeting in Atlanta, but even that was up for debate.

The head of the San Francisco 49ers — Kaepernick's former team — said his franchise abstained from the vote. CEO Jed York said he wasn't comfortable with a process that didn't directly involve the players.

"I want to work with my team to make sure everything we do is about promoting the right types of social justice reform and getting to a better America," York said.

The NFL Players Association said it wasn't consulted about the new policy and would challenge any changes that violate the collective bargaining agreement.

Clearly, Goodell and most owners just want to put the issue behind them.

"We want people to be respectful of the national anthem. We want people to stand," the commissioner said. "That's all personnel, and to make sure they treat this moment in a respectful fashion. That's something that we think we owe. We've been very sensitive on making sure that we give players choices, but we do believe that moment is an important moment and one that we are going to focus on."

In the surest sign that players were not part of the discussions, any violations of the policy would result in fines against the team — not the players. That could be a way to avoid legal challenges from the players' union, since fines against a team would not be subject to collective bargaining.

The league did say teams could impose their own workplace rules for those who fail to show respect for the flag and anthem, but didn't say what those policies might be.

Jets: Team officials say they will pay any fines and not penalize players if they violate a new NFL policy to stand or stay in the locker room during "The Star-Spangled Banner." Jets owner Christopher Johnson said Wednesday the team is focused on working with players to advance social justice issues rather than creating club rules or penalties that restrict demonstrations. Johnson says he plans to meet with Jets players and coaches to discuss the decision.

Richie Incognito: The veteran guard has been taken into custody for psychiatric examination after an incident at a Florida gym. Boca Raton police say they received a call Wednesday from a gym patron about a disturbance and as a result took Incognito into custody under Florida's Baker Act, which allows for involuntary psychiatric commitment for people seen as a danger to themselves or others. Incognito announced earlier this year that he was retiring after 11 seasons in the NFL, the past three with Buffalo. But the Bills released him from their reserved/retired list on Monday, leaving open the possibility he could sign with another team. Incognito, 34, spent 18 months out of the league after a Miami Dolphins bullying scandal.

Super Bowls: The Super Bowl is headed back to New Orleans for the 11th time and will make its fourth stop in Arizona. NFL owners voted unanimously on both sites Wednesday at the league's annual spring meeting in Atlanta, which will host the 2019 Super Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 2023 title game will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, while New Orleans' Mercedes-Benz Superdome will host in 2024. After this season's game in Atlanta, the next three Super Bowls will be held at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium (2020), Raymond James Stadium in Tampa (2021) and the new Hollywood Park stadium in Los Angeles (2022).