NFL owners enacted a new national anthem rule to take effect this upcoming season. The new rule requires all players to stand if they are on the field during the performance. However, players have the option to stay in their locker room if they prefer.
According to ESPN, NFL teams have the ability to fine any player, coach or team personnel for “disrespecting” the anthem. This includes any attempt to sit or kneel, which many players did during the past two seasons. Colin Kaepernick originally sat, then kneeled during the national anthem to draw attention to the recent acts of violence against African-Americans committed by police officers.
In a statement issued by NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell, he says, “We want people to be respectful of the national anthem. 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. [But] we were also very sensitive to give players choices.”
Interestingly enough, Kaepernick and former San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid filed cases against the NFL. They claim the NFL and its owners colluded to keep them out of the league as punishment for protesting during the anthem.
The union for NFL players, the NFFPA, issued a statement shortly after the rule announcement. They say the owners did not work with the players to create the rule. It also goes against their collective bargaining agreement both sides agreed to a few years ago.
Check out the statement below. 
This is black men’s issue. If they are going to keep watching these dry a-s football games, then oh well.
Just another reason for me not to watch.