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KNEEL APPEAL

NFL players furious at new National Anthem policy that will banish protestors to the changing room

Players' union vows to challenge any part of 'no kneeling' rule that violates the collective bargaining agreement

IT'S OFFICIAL: NFL players must stand during the National Anthem - or else.

Team owners made the decision in Atalanta on Wednesday and immediately incurred the wrath of scores of players.

San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem before an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks in 2016
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San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem before an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks in 2016Credit: AP:Associated Press

The owners' decision is a reaction to fierce backlash against some high-profile NFL stars who took a knee - including at Wembley - to highlight social injustice within the States.

Now, not only can the NFL fine a team whose players protest on the sidelines during the 'The Star-Spangled Banner', but each team will set its own rules regarding players who want to kneel.

Players cannot be fined by the league. They also will be allowed to remain in the locker room while the anthem is played.

The NFL Players' Association immediately said it will challenge any part of the new policy that violates the collective bargaining agreement.

Three Miami Dolphins NFL players kneel before their game against the New Orleans Saints at Wembley
Eric Reid, like Kaepernick, has filed a grievance against the league, citing collusion in denying him a job
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 Eric Reid, like Kaepernick, has filed a grievance against the league, citing collusion in denying him a jobCredit: AP:Associated Press

The owners spent several hours addressing the contentious issue — which has reached all the way to President Donald Trump in the White House.

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016.

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His was a quiet but powerful protest against police brutality and racial inequality in the justice system.

Other players took up the cause.

In recent months, the league has worked toward a reported £67.5million social justice partnership with the Players Coalition, using the NFL's platform to highlight players' efforts to curb injustice and to use political connections to push for legislative change.
Baltimore Ravens players kneel during a rendition of ' The Star-Spangled Banner' before their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley last year
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Baltimore Ravens players kneel during a rendition of ' The Star-Spangled Banner' before their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley last yearCredit: AP:Associated Press
They were one of a number of teams and individuals to send a powerful message to US President Donald Trump
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They were one of a number of teams and individuals to send a powerful message to US President Donald TrumpCredit: AFP or licensors
The conversations come as two free-agent players, Kaepernick and Eric Reid, have filed separate grievances against the league, citing collusion in denying them jobs.
Kaepernick and Reid both kneeled during the National Anthem when they were 49ers teammates, and Reid continued his protest last season.
Kaepernick has been a free agent since March 2017.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell  said the team owners were unanimous in their decision, adding:

"It was unfortunate that on-field protests created a false perception among many that thousands of NFL players were unpatriotic.

"This is not and was never the case."

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