NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy

SmashMouth · 07-11-2018, 07:22 AM

The NFL Players Association filed a grievance with the league on Tuesday challenging its national anthem policy.

The union says that the new policy, which the league imposed without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on players’ rights.

In May, the NFL approved its national anthem policy at its owners’ meetings in Atlanta. The policy allows players to protest during the national anthem by staying in the locker room, but forbids them from sitting or taking a knee if they’re on the field or the sidelines.

Teams will be subject to fines if players don’t comply and will have the option of punishing players.

When the league announced the policy, commissioner Roger Goodell called it a compromise aimed at putting the focus back on football after a tumultuous year in which television ratings dipped nearly 10 percent; some blamed the protests for such a drop. The union said at that time that it would file a grievance against any change in the collective bargaining agreement.

Read more on The Boston Globe

burningmetal · 07-11-2018, 07:32 AM

It was not inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Know how I know that? Because there was a rule already in place against anyone on the field who failed to stand for the flag and Anthem. The league simply failed to enforce it.

All they have done with this new "policy" is lay out the same rules with an exception that you can stay in the locker room without penalty. It's a cop out, and does nothing to solve the problem, in the first place, and yet the players STILL don't like it? Who cares. Move to Mexico or Cuba, or whatever place you believe is so much better than here.

foreverfan · 07-11-2018, 10:33 AM

Some attorney is making money.

AsylumGuido · 07-11-2018, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

It was not inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Know how I know that? Because there was a rule already in place against anyone on the field who failed to stand for the flag and Anthem. The league simply failed to enforce it.

All they have done with this new "policy" is lay out the same rules with an exception that you can stay in the locker room without penalty. It's a cop out, and does nothing to solve the problem, in the first place, and yet the players STILL don't like it? Who cares. Move to Mexico or Cuba, or whatever place you believe is so much better than here.

You are close, but off in one vital aspect. There is no actual rule covering this subject. But, it was addressed in the NFL operations manual (which is NOT a part of the official NFL rules documentation).

The NFL rulebook makes no mention of the national anthem. But the game operations manual does.

Here’s what the game operations manual says regarding the national anthem, according to an NFL spokesperson:

"The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem. During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses."

It’s important to note the use of the word “may” here. The NFL is not considering punishing fines on players or teams who choose to kneel or stay in the locker room during the national anthem, the spokesperson says.

As you see, there was nothing in the rules that specifies that players will stand for the anthem and that violators will be disciplined.

Thirty3 · 07-11-2018, 01:34 PM

shut up and go to work. Protest on your own dime and time.

Rugby Saint II · 07-11-2018, 01:57 PM

OMG!!! This **** is still going on!?! Here we go one more time dammit! Freedom of speech is good but respect for those who gave their lives is also a good thing! It's a freakin' thugs message that no one understands!

CheramieIII · 07-11-2018, 01:57 PM

Either stand or don't come on the field. If you want to make a political statement do it on your own time.

jeanpierre · 07-11-2018, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by CheramieIII

Either stand or don't come on the field. If you want to make a political statement do it on your own time.

That's it. It's that simple.

It's not a right to play in the NFL; nor it is a right to protest during a solemn moment of memoriam when you're on the clock, someone else's dime...

I get some grow up without parents who teach their young to pay respect to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country...

But there's one helluva a support, education system that's there along the path to becoming an NFL player that can educate those that need values...

And one of those values is to pay respect to those fallen so we may continue the journey Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness in Freedom...

burningmetal · 07-11-2018, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

You are close, but off in one vital aspect. There is no actual rule covering this subject. But, it was addressed in the NFL operations manual (which is NOT a part of the official NFL rules documentation).

As you see, there was nothing in the rules that specifies that players will stand for the anthem and that violators will be disciplined.

I predicted this message would come, and you were the one who was most likely to send it.

You can call it a rule, or you can call it a guideline. I call it a rule, because there is no reason to say "should", if you do not intend for the players to stand, or else face some kind of penalty. The word "should" simply means that the league can CHOOSE not to do anything about it, which is exactly what happened the last couple of years. The "should" was a nudge by the league to make the players not embarrass said league as they have, but when it came down to facing the embarrassment the league was, and is, weak.

It matters not to me whether something is in the game operations manual or in the rule book. Because there is nothing in the rule book that says that players acquitted of crimes by the court can still be suspended by the league. The league makes up rules on the fly, and this is just the problem. They enforce whatever is convenient for them, even if they have to invent something. They also have rules that say a certain type of offense carries a SPECIFIC number of games you are to be suspended, only to be doubled when the league decides they want to make an example out of someone.

Now they have changed their policy, leaving the door still wide open for players to get off scot-free for doing something that the league doesn't want to have to deal with. Everything is politically motivated with them. It's why they hand out inconsistent punishments depending on whatever they believe will make them look "socially responsible", and it's why they refuse to take a hard stance on player conduct regarding the Anthem.

skymike · 07-11-2018, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

Everything is politically motivated with them. It's why they hand out inconsistent punishments depending on whatever they believe will make them look "socially responsible", and it's why they refuse to take a hard stance on player conduct regarding the Anthem.

Rings of truth.
I cant believe how stupid these people are.
They're all like Joe Psarcik. They were winning, and banking, and all they
had to do is not do anything stupid. I'm becoming less and less empathetic
with players, to the point, I dont know how much I give a damn about them,
or the NFL anymore.

This is kind of a statement, because I was kind of a bigger than average fan.

07-11-2018, 07:22 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,211 Blog Entries: 29	NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy The NFL Players Association filed a grievance with the league on Tuesday challenging its national anthem policy. The union says that the new policy, which the league imposed without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on players’ rights. In May, the NFL approved its national anthem policy at its owners’ meetings in Atlanta. The policy allows players to protest during the national anthem by staying in the locker room, but forbids them from sitting or taking a knee if they’re on the field or the sidelines. Teams will be subject to fines if players don’t comply and will have the option of punishing players. When the league announced the policy, commissioner Roger Goodell called it a compromise aimed at putting the focus back on football after a tumultuous year in which television ratings dipped nearly 10 percent; some blamed the protests for such a drop. The union said at that time that it would file a grievance against any change in the collective bargaining agreement. Read more on The Boston Globe jeanpierre likes this.

07-11-2018, 07:32 AM	#2
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy It was not inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Know how I know that? Because there was a rule already in place against anyone on the field who failed to stand for the flag and Anthem. The league simply failed to enforce it. All they have done with this new "policy" is lay out the same rules with an exception that you can stay in the locker room without penalty. It's a cop out, and does nothing to solve the problem, in the first place, and yet the players STILL don't like it? Who cares. Move to Mexico or Cuba, or whatever place you believe is so much better than here. jnormand, jeanpierre, skymike and 1 others like this.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

07-11-2018, 10:33 AM	#3
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Re: NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy Some attorney is making money. saintfan and CheramieIII like this.

07-11-2018, 12:15 PM	#4
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,274	Re: NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy Originally Posted by burningmetal It was not inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Know how I know that? Because there was a rule already in place against anyone on the field who failed to stand for the flag and Anthem. The league simply failed to enforce it. All they have done with this new "policy" is lay out the same rules with an exception that you can stay in the locker room without penalty. It's a cop out, and does nothing to solve the problem, in the first place, and yet the players STILL don't like it? Who cares. Move to Mexico or Cuba, or whatever place you believe is so much better than here. You are close, but off in one vital aspect. There is no actual rule covering this subject. But, it was addressed in the NFL operations manual (which is NOT a part of the official NFL rules documentation). The NFL rulebook makes no mention of the national anthem. But the game operations manual does. Here’s what the game operations manual says regarding the national anthem, according to an NFL spokesperson: "The National Anthem must be played prior to every NFL game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem. During the National Anthem, players on the field and bench area should stand at attention, face the flag, hold helmets in their left hand, and refrain from talking. The home team should ensure that the American flag is in good condition. It should be pointed out to players and coaches that we continue to be judged by the public in this area of respect for the flag and our country. Failure to be on the field by the start of the National Anthem may result in discipline, such as fines, suspensions, and/or the forfeiture of draft choice(s) for violations of the above, including first offenses." It’s important to note the use of the word “may” here. The NFL is not considering punishing fines on players or teams who choose to kneel or stay in the locker room during the national anthem, the spokesperson says. As you see, there was nothing in the rules that specifies that players will stand for the anthem and that violators will be disciplined.

07-11-2018, 01:34 PM	#5
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255	Re: NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy shut up and go to work. Protest on your own dime and time. jnormand likes this.
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255

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07-11-2018, 01:57 PM	#6
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	Re: NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy OMG!!! This **** is still going on!?! Here we go one more time dammit! Freedom of speech is good but respect for those who gave their lives is also a good thing! It's a freakin' thugs message that no one understands! jnormand, CheramieIII, jeanpierre and 1 others like this.

07-11-2018, 01:57 PM	#7
CheramieIII Fan Since 1967 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nomad Posts: 7,487 Blog Entries: 3	Re: NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy Either stand or don't come on the field. If you want to make a political statement do it on your own time. saintfan, jnormand, jeanpierre and 4 others like this.

07-11-2018, 03:28 PM	#8
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy Originally Posted by CheramieIII Either stand or don't come on the field. If you want to make a political statement do it on your own time. That's it. It's that simple. It's not a right to play in the NFL; nor it is a right to protest during a solemn moment of memoriam when you're on the clock, someone else's dime... I get some grow up without parents who teach their young to pay respect to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country... But there's one helluva a support, education system that's there along the path to becoming an NFL player that can educate those that need values... And one of those values is to pay respect to those fallen so we may continue the journey Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness in Freedom... jnormand, CheramieIII and burningmetal like this.
	It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way... Last edited by jeanpierre; 07-11-2018 at 10:52 PM..

07-11-2018, 07:53 PM	#9
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy Originally Posted by AsylumGuido You are close, but off in one vital aspect. There is no actual rule covering this subject. But, it was addressed in the NFL operations manual (which is NOT a part of the official NFL rules documentation). As you see, there was nothing in the rules that specifies that players will stand for the anthem and that violators will be disciplined. I predicted this message would come, and you were the one who was most likely to send it. You can call it a rule, or you can call it a guideline. I call it a rule, because there is no reason to say "should", if you do not intend for the players to stand, or else face some kind of penalty. The word "should" simply means that the league can CHOOSE not to do anything about it, which is exactly what happened the last couple of years. The "should" was a nudge by the league to make the players not embarrass said league as they have, but when it came down to facing the embarrassment the league was, and is, weak. It matters not to me whether something is in the game operations manual or in the rule book. Because there is nothing in the rule book that says that players acquitted of crimes by the court can still be suspended by the league. The league makes up rules on the fly, and this is just the problem. They enforce whatever is convenient for them, even if they have to invent something. They also have rules that say a certain type of offense carries a SPECIFIC number of games you are to be suspended, only to be doubled when the league decides they want to make an example out of someone. Now they have changed their policy, leaving the door still wide open for players to get off scot-free for doing something that the league doesn't want to have to deal with. Everything is politically motivated with them. It's why they hand out inconsistent punishments depending on whatever they believe will make them look "socially responsible", and it's why they refuse to take a hard stance on player conduct regarding the Anthem.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

07-11-2018, 09:35 PM	#10
skymike E. Side Cholo Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Barrio, H-town Posts: 6,089	Re: NFL Players Association files grievance challenging national anthem policy Originally Posted by burningmetal Everything is politically motivated with them. It's why they hand out inconsistent punishments depending on whatever they believe will make them look "socially responsible", and it's why they refuse to take a hard stance on player conduct regarding the Anthem. Rings of truth. I cant believe how stupid these people are. They're all like Joe Psarcik. They were winning, and banking, and all they had to do is not do anything stupid. I'm becoming less and less empathetic with players, to the point, I dont know how much I give a damn about them, or the NFL anymore. This is kind of a statement, because I was kind of a bigger than average fan. jnormand, SmashMouth, Rugby Saint II and 1 others like this.

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