NFL Decision on National Anthem Protest Enforces a Fiasco

The NFL and its owners unanimously approved a new National Anthem policy that will require all players to stand for the anthem when they are on the field or face a fine if they found kneeling.

As good as that sounds, the policy is chuck full of loopholes, and little detail on how the league intends to enforce the rule, meaning that Roger Goodell and crew made a rule built more on lip-service than actual reform.

By it's definition the policy says it "requires players to stand IF they are on the field during the performance," while giving teams and players an easy out, specifically the "option to remain in the locker room" during the National Anthem.

If any player is found kneeling during the Anthem, the franchise is subject to fines (we don't know how much), and teams will have the option to fine any players and personnel as it deems necessary.

First, when the hell did the National Anthem become optional? It's like saying you don't have to go to work if you don't want to, and not face any repercussions.

By making a policy it thinks will solve a problem, the NFL just creates more problems for itself.

Aside from the fact that they didn't outline how severe the fines will be for the anthem protest, giving players an easy out is only going to make the protest that much more of a distraction.

Just think about it, the camera's are scanning the sidelines during a Giants' game. Suddenly we notice that Odell Beckham and Eli Manning are not on the sideline but in the locker room. Does this mean they are protesting the Anthem? Are they getting treatment? Do they hate America this much? You know this will be analyzed by every commentator and couch-potato.

And, believe me with camera's on the field during the National Anthem, it will be more about who is NOT on the field than who is on the field. Remember when the Steelers decided to sit in the locker room as a team during the playing of the Anthem in Week 2 at Chicago? That didn't go over too well, especially when offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva was the ONLY MAN STANDING for Pittsburgh.

If the NFL wants to enforce a rule, enforce it with no loopholes!

With loopholes, teams will try to take advantage of it. And one team already saying it has no problem bending the rule is the New York Jets. Jets owner, Chris Johnson said he will not discourage players from kneeling even if it results in the club being fined by the NFL, (Cimini, ESPN).

"I will support our players wherever we land as a team. Our focus is not on imposing any club rules, fines or restrictions."

In other words, expect the Jets and any other team that feels frisky with a loose rule to test the NFL by kneeling. In short, the problem is not going away.

Furthermore the NFL does not address the actual issue that players are bringing up. There are a bunch of players who feel there is "injustice" going on in the country when it comes to relations between police and minorities in inner cities. Shouldn't the NFL, it's owners and players come up with a more comprehensive plan to get involved in the community?  Shouldn't there be an effort to work with law enforcement to provide education to youths in at risk locations?  Forgotten in all of this is a $89 million "social justice" platform that the NFL finalized. What's in it?

If the NFL wanted to get this right, standing for the National Anthem should be MANDATORY with no loopholes for players to duck in and out of the locker room in order to protest the flag if they feel like it. Anyone who is not standing, or is not on the field during the anthem should be fined severely with the possibility of suspension, period. All the money collected from such behavior can then be turned into a good cause to support recreation programs for at risk youths.

Why is it so hard for the NFL to get it right?