In a statement, the NFL and the NFL Players Association have agreed to freeze the rules regarding players standing for the Star-Spangled Banner. This week, the Miami Dolphins planned to impose discipline of up to a four-game suspension for any player who protested during the anthem, according to the Associated Press. The report cited a nine-page document the Dolphins filed with the NFL that overviewed the team’s overarching disciplinary policies. However, the Dolphins’ submission of their potential disciplinary policies was merely part of an annual filing required of every team before the start of training camp.
The joint statement reads:
- 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 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, good faith commitments, outside of litigation.
