NFL Puts Its New Kneeling Policy On Hold, Trump Responds

I thought we already settled this. Football season is just months away. Training camp starts this month, and it feels like we’re back to square one.

Back in May, the NFL announced its new national anthem policy. It was pretty straightforward. It was all about choice. Players would have the choice to stay in the locker room during the national anthem, but if they chose to go out on the field, they would be required to “stand and show respect respect for the flag and Anthem.” Otherwise, the individual’s team could face a penalty.

Statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell pic.twitter.com/1Vn7orTo1R

— NFL (@NFL) May 23, 2018

Feel free to kneel, just do it in the locker room. I think that’s MORE than fair.

Not everyone thought so. Former NFL player Donte Stallworth compared the policy to Nazi Germany for inexplicable reasons.

Additionally, the NFL Players Association filed a grievance.

https://t.co/BRb8lgNIgW pic.twitter.com/sK2zzqFoYh

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) July 10, 2018

It reads:

Our union filed its non-injury grievance today on behalf of all players challenging the NFL’s recently imposed anthem policy. The union’s claim is that this new policy, imposed by the NFL’s governing body without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights.

In advance of our filing today, we proposed to the NFL to begin confidential discussions with the NFLPA Executive Committee to find a solution to this issue instead of immediately proceeding with litigation. The NFL has agreed to proceed with those discussions and we look forward to starting them soon.

The saga continues. Because of all of the back and forth, the NFL is putting the new policy on hold. According to the joint-statement, “no new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks.”

https://t.co/4dEMTwzbLv pic.twitter.com/sMp8zInCZZ

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) July 20, 2018

But will this be resolved by the start of the season? By the start of preseason? I don’t want to hear about this when the season starts. I just want to watch a game in peace, and I know I’m not the only one.

Cue Trump.

The NFL National Anthem Debate is alive and well again – can’t believe it! Isn’t it in contract that players must stand at attention, hand on heart? The $40,000,000 Commissioner must now make a stand. First time kneeling, out for game. Second time kneeling, out for season/no pay!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2018

I know a lot of people are wondering why Trump’s tweeting about this. Doesn’t he have bigger fish to fry? Sure. But keep in mind that this is his bread and butter. He’s in tune with the American people. He knows the flagrant disrespect irritates most of us. That’s why he’s being so vocal about it. He knows it’s a winning issue, and it’s not like he’s faking outrage. He really does want NFL players to stand up for the national anthem.

I guess we’ll see what happens. I truly hope they resolve this before the start of the season.