The NFL owners have approved a policy allowing players to stay in the locker room for the national anthem, but the players must stand on the field.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that the policy was approved "in concert with the NFL"s ongoing commitment to local communities and our country."
The teams agreed to the following requirements:
- "All team and league personnel on the field shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem."
- "The Game Operations Manual will be revised to remove the requirement that all players be on the field for the Anthem.
- "Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room or in a similar location off the field until after the Anthem has been performed."
- "A club will be fined by the League if its personnel are on the field and do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem."
- "Each club may develop its own work rules, consistent with the above principles, regarding its personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem."
- "The Commissioner will impose appropriate discipline on league personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem."