The NFL’s two-month old national anthem policy is on
hold.Hours after The Associated Press reported that Miami Dolphins players who
protest on the field during the anthem could be suspended for up to four games
under a team policy issued this week T.J. McDonald
Jersey , the league and the players union issued a joint statement
late Thursday night saying the two sides are talking things out.“The NFL and
NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a resolution to the
anthem issue. In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue, we have
come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA’s grievance and on the NFL’s anthem
policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the
next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing,” the
statement read. “The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which
are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in
communities across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice. Our
shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through
mutual William Hayes
Jersey , good faith commitments, outside of litigation.”The issue
has dominated headlines over the past two seasons, caused division and alienated
some fans.More Miami Dolphins newsDolphins sign hometown WR Allen Hurns to
1-year contractNew Dolphins coach Brian Flores has his own daily workout at
training campDolphins assistant coach Jim Caldwell takes leave of absence to
address health issuesTwo-time Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones rejoins Dolphins
after skipping voluntary practicesDolphins QBs Josh Rosen, Ryan Fitzpatrick
embrace battle for No. 1 jobThe NFL rule that was passed in May forbid players
from sitting or taking a knee if they are on the field or sidelines during “The
Star-Spangled Banner,” but allowed them to stay in the locker room if they wish.
The policy said teams would be fined if players didn’t stand during the anthem
while on the field. The league left it up to teams on how to punish players.None
of the team policies had been made public until the AP obtained a copy of
Miami’s nine-page discipline document. It included a one-sentence section on
“Proper Anthem Conduct” and was provided to the AP by a person familiar with the
policy who insisted on anonymity because the document is not public. It
classifies anthem protests under a large list of “conduct detrimental to the
club,” all of which could lead to a paid or unpaid suspension, a fine or
both.The Dolphins said in a statement: “The NFL required each team to submit
their rules regarding the anthem before their players reported to training camp.
We will address this issue once the season starts. All options are still
open.”Miami can choose not to issue any suspension nor fine any player guilty of
“conduct detrimental to the club.” Other violations under that label include
drug use or possession Akeem Spence
Jersey , gambling, breaking curfew and riding motorcycles as a
driver or passenger from the start of camp until the last game of the
season.Jets acting owner Christopher Johnson said shortly after the league
announced its policy that he will not punish his players for any peaceful
protests — and would pay any potential fines incurred by the team as a result of
his players’ actions.The new league rules were challenged this month in a
grievance by the players union. The NFLPA said the NFL policy, which the league
imposed without consultation with the players union, is inconsistent with the
collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights. Now, the two
sides are hoping to reach a solution without litigation.Dolphins veteran
receiver Kenny Stills took a knee with a hand on his heart during the anthem
throughout last season. Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips put his arm around
Stills before one game. Two other players who knelt — safety Michael Thomas and
tight end Julius Thomas — are no longer with the team.Defensive end Robert
Quinn, who raised his fist during the anthem while with the Rams, is now with
the Dolphins.“Players who are on the field during the Anthem performance must
stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem A.J. Derby
Jersey ,” says the 16th and final bullet point on Miami’s list of
conduct considered detrimental, below disparaging teammates, coaches or
officials including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.The NFL started requiring
players to be on the field for the anthem in 2009 — the year it signed a
marketing deal with the military.In 2016, then-49ers quarterback Colin
Kaepernick began protesting police brutality, social injustice and racial
inequality by kneeling during the national anthem, and the demonstration spread
to other players and teams.Critics led by President Donald Trump called the
players unpatriotic and even said NFL owners should fire any player who refused
to stand during the anthem. Some players countered that their actions were being
misconstrued and that they are seeking social change rather than protesting the
anthem itself.Trump’s criticism led more than 200 players to protest during one
weekend, and some kept it up throughout the season.The league and a coalition of
players have been working in tandem to support player initiatives for a variety
of social issues. The NFL is committing $90 million over the next seven years to
social justice causes in a three-segment plan that involves league
players.Kaepernick didn’t play at all last season and still hasn’t been picked
up by another team. He threw 16 touchdown passes and four interceptions in his
final season in 2016. Safety Eric Reid Josh Sitton
Jersey , one of Kaepernick’s former teammates and another protest
leader, is also out of work.Both have filed collusion grievances against the
NFL. Dolphins head coach Brian Flores pushed back against the notion that the
Dolphins are tanking this year in hopes of taking a big leap forward in 2020 and
General Manager Chris Grier delivered the same message at the league meetings on
Monday.While owner Stephen Ross’ postseason comments set the stage for a longer
rebuild, Grier and Flores have instead talked about building a foundation
through the draft over the next two seasons and competing at the same time. A
big part of that process is finding a quarterback for the future and some
believe landing that player would be aided by landing the first overall pick
this year.On Monday, Grier was asked how he’d feel if the team found its way to
an 8-8 record and lost a chance at landing a high pick that would position them
for a top quarterback prospect.“I don’t know how many we’re going to win.
Everyone keeps saying tanking and we’re going to go and be crap. So I don’t know
what we’ll be,” Grier said, via the . “If these guys go out and we have some
good young players and they play well and we win eight games, we go Daniel
Kilgore Jersey , all right, we’ve won eight games and we’ve got
right now 11 or 12 picks for next year with the draft still approaching. Who
knows if we get more. So having that and those picks in 2020 [gives] you a lot
of maneuvering in this year’s draft and next year’s draft.”Getting anywhere
close to an 8-8 record would reflect well on the draft scouting this year, but
that would likely be small consolation to those in Miami who are hoping to see
Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert or another top quarterback prospect in a Dolphins
uniform come 2020.
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