Yesterday the NFL confirmed a new national anthem policy that meant players who have to stand for the national anthem or face punishment by the league. The move has been criticised as an attack on freedom of speech by several fans, pundits, players and civil rights groups.
Here is the NFL's new anthem policy pic.twitter.com/dStoHDOUNz
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) May 23, 2018
Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that players could stay in the locker room for the anthem but protests would be fined. It comes after two seasons of players kneeling or raising their fists during the anthem to protest police brutality.
Speaking about the move today, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr slammed the move and labeled it typical of an 'idiotic' organisation.
It's just typical of the NFL. They're just playing to their fan base. Basically trying to use the anthem as fake patriotism, nationalism, scaring people. It's idiotic. But that's how the NFL has conducted their business.
I am proud to be in a league that understands patriotism in America is about free speech and peacefully protesting. Our leadership in the NBA understands when the NFL players were kneeling, they were kneeling to protest police brutality, to protest racial inequality. They weren't disrespecting the flag or the military. But our president decided to make it about that and the NFL followed suit, pandered to their fan base, created this hysteria.
Steve Kerr criticized the NFL for its national anthem policy pic.twitter.com/eaCXC5WhCj
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 24, 2018
