Reuters/USA Today Sports
The NFL is back. So are the player protests.
Players took to the field for the first big night of the NFL exhibition season Thursday, and a number either kneeled or raised a fist during the national anthem to protest racial inequality — despite the league’s wishes that they would keep their protests off the field.
In a statement Thursday, the NFL said that while its new rules penalizing players for protests is on hold, it expects them to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“The NFL has been engaged in constructive discussions with the NFL Players Association regarding the anthem and issues of equality and social justice that are of concern to many Americans,” the league said. “While those discussions continue, the NFL has agreed to delay implementing or enforcing any club work rules that could result in players being disciplined for their conduct during the performance of the anthem.”
“Meanwhile, there has been no change in the NFL’s policy regarding the national anthem,” the statement continued. “The anthem will continue to be played before every game, and all player and non-player personnel on the field at that time are expected to stand during the presentation of the flag and performance of the anthem. Personnel who do not wish to do so can choose to remain in the locker room.
“We remain committed to working with the players to identify solutions and to continue making progress on important social issues affecting our communities.”
The players union has filed a grievance against the league, saying the new anthem policy infringes on their right to free speech and violates their collective-bargaining agreement.
Protests were muted and varied around the league Thursday. Most notably, a pair of Miami Dolphins players kneeled, while at other stadiums some players raised a fist during the anthem or stayed off the field while it was sung. Overall, the protests were on a significantly smaller scale than at some points last season.
The protests, which started in 2016 with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, have drawn the ire of President Donald Trump, who on numerous occasions has raged against protesting players on Twitter and during rallies.
As of 10:30 p.m. Eastern, Trump was silent on the latest protests.