Report: NFL Team To Suspend Players Who Protest National Anthem
Anthem protests were quite a problem last season, and it seems like Miami Dolphins are about to face the consequences of their acts. We all remember them as the players who took a knee during The Star Spangled Banner. What does this involve? The players are likely to get suspended in the first four games of the season.
According to sources, the Dolphins organization issued the “Proper Anthem Conduct” policy. It’s a nine-page document that classifies the anthem protests of this king as “conduct detrimental to the club.” It was about time that someone does anything on the matter.
Anthem protesters will face paid or unpaid suspensions. They are also likely to get a fine or even both.
The report came months after the NFL owners created rules that obliges players to “stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem.” If by any chance players decided to take a knee during the anthem, they will be subject to fines. However, this policy allows the players to go to their locker rooms if they wish so. Strange.
The NFL allows each team to determine the right way to dole out punishments.
President Donald Trump condemned the new policy, noting that it’s actually worse than letting the players kneel. “I don’t want to cause controversy but how about they passed this stupid thing. You don’t have to do this anymore. If you don’t respect the flag or if you don’t like the country — or whatever it is — just go into the locker room,” he said during a Montana campaign rally.
The NFL Players Association said to respond to the new rules, and filed their formal grievance against the league.
The policy was disapproved by some players, too. The Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey said he won’t stop his on-field protest. “I’m going to take my fine. It is what it is, I ain’t going to let them stop me from doing what I want to do. If they want to have these battles between players and organizations, this is the way it’s going to be,” he said.
Well, let see what happens this season.