NFL Bans Protests During National Anthem

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

It seems that the NFL (National Football League) wants to leave aside the controversy generated by the peaceful protests that some of its players carried out when kneeling during the national anthem.

Through a statement, the sports organization revealed that the owners of the teams have made a joint decision that would force all the athletes in their teams to stand up during the protocol acts that take place before the start of each match.

We want people to be respectful of the national anthem. We want everyone to stand up to make sure we treat this moment with the respect it deserves,”said Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner.

"We have been responsive and made sure that players have options, but we believe this moment is important and deserves to be focused," Goodell added at a press conference in the city of Atlanta.

According to what is added, those athletes who do not wish to be part of the protocol acts may remain in their dressing rooms, but if they decide to leave and continue with the protest they will be fined.

The decision of the NFL is undoubtedly a hard setback for all those players who since 2016 started this symbolic protest to demonstrate their rejection of the oppression that the African American community still lives, emphasizing in police brutality.

The campaign started by player Colin Kaepernick in 2016, who was then the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, certainly took national interest in 2017 after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, assured in a speech that the owners of the teams should fire the "sons of pu.." who kneel during the hymn.