NFL to allow players to kneel during anthem without penalty
The NFL will continue allowing players to kneel during the national anthem at games, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Tuesday, according to
Reuters.
“We spent today talking about the issues that our players have been trying to bring attention to. About issues in our communities to make our communities better,” Goodell said at a news conference following a meeting between officials and team owners in New York.
The meeting included officials from the NFL and the NFL Player's Association, as well as 11 team owners and 13 NFL players who have protested during the national anthem.
“Today’s discussion with our players was very productive and very important. It reflected our commitment to work together with our players on issues of social justice,” Goodell stated.
According to Reuters, the NFL representatives did not press upon players not to kneel, but instead talked about ways to help them in their activism.
Goodell had previously said that "everyone should stand" for the national anthem, amid growing pressure for the NFL to take an official stance on the controversial protests.
Malcolm Jenkins of the Philadelphia Eagles said after the meeting that there was no talk of penalties against players who protested, according to the
New York Times.