Miami Dolphins players who protest on the field during the national anthem could face suspension for up to four games under a new team policy, the Associated Press reported on Monday afternoon.
The team’s nine-page discipline document, which was provided to the Associated Press by a person familiar with the policy, includes anthem protests under a long list of “conduct detrimental to the club,” all of which could lead to a fine, a paid or unpaid suspension, or both. The document has not yet been released to the public.
In March, Dolphins owner Steve Ross told the New York Daily News that “all of our players will be standing,” explaining that although he had supported their right to kneel as an exercise of freedom of speech, he felt the message being sent by players kneeling was a protest against “support of our country or the military.” He later walked back the comments, writing in an Instagram post that he regretted his comments and had “no intention of forcing our players to stand during the national anthem.”
The new policy for the Dolphins is the latest in a series of efforts within the NFL to crack down on players who choose to kneel during the national anthem. The controversy has been a hot-button topic for months, with defenders of the players arguing that they have the right to exercise freedom of speech, while critics — including President Donald Trump — have argued that the decision to kneel is offensive to the flag and to the United States. In May, the league unilaterally imposed new guidelines that barred players from kneeling on the field during the playing of the anthem.
“All team and league personnel on the field shall stand and show respect for the flag and Anthem,” the new guidelines said. “A club will be fined by the league if its personnel are on the field and so not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.”
Players are allowed to remain in the locker room during the anthem.
With the new NFL season on the horizon — training camp begins at the end of July — the issue that has embroiled the league for the better part of the last two seasons could rear its head again.
Later Thursday night, the NFL and NFLPA released a joint statement saying they have been “working on a resolution to the anthem issue. In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue, we have come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA’s grievance and on the NFL’s anthem policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing.
“The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice. Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation.”
Defenders of the policy have pointed to the NBA’s own National Anthem rules, which also requires all players to stand. The key difference here is that the NBA’s rules were collectively bargained with the NBA Players Association, whereas the NFL’s rules were decided amongst the owners only.
ESPYS Parties 2018: Snoop Dogg, Aly Raisman Kick Off Biggest Week in Sports (Updating Photos)
The 2018 ESPYS take place live on Wednesday from the Microsoft Theater but ESPN's annual awards extravaganza has turned into a week-long event as the biggest names in sports descend on Los Angeles -- swapping their jerseys and cleats for designer clothes and cool shoes.
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Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman was joined by Alison Overholt -- vice president, editor-in-chief of ESPN The Magazine and espnW - at the HEROES at the ESPYS party in Los Angeles Tuesday.
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Raisman graces the cover of ESPN the Magazine's special HEROES issue ahead of receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award with other survivors of sexual abuse committed by Larry Nassar.
The Cedars-Sinai and Sports Spectacular Gala on Sunday night marked the start of ESPYS week as former San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman joined Snoop Dogg at his Inglewood "compound" to help raise awareness about diabetes and obesity.
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Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy at HEROES at THE ESPYS pre-party event in LA.
ESPN host Jemele Hill at the at HEROES at THE ESPYS pre-party event in LA.
Paralympic snowboarder and former "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Amy Purdy was honored with the Inspirational Athlete Award, telling TheWrap that "so many people don’t even know they have diabetes so I think this is an incredible cause that raises a lot of awareness." Having overcome the loss of her legs to meningitis at age 19, Purdy is now writing her second book on inspiration, "so it is fitting to be getting an inspiration award tonight."
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Chloe Kim was also honored with an Inspirational Athlete Award after she became the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding medal with her Halfpipe gold in Pyeongchang this year.
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Coming off the biggest season of his NFL career, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell said he wants to "encourage kids and talk to them about how to understand their bodies and be active, especially nowadays with so much technology available. I think playing sports is really important ... there’s a lot of lessons to be learned on how to take care of your body and knowing what your limits are," he added.
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Having retired in 2o12, Merriman said that "even having been done with the NFL for six years, I still love being in the gym ... There are people who didn’t have that regimen and it’s a struggle for them to stay in shape, but I always say to them ‘just stay active.'"
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No. 1 NFL draft pick Baker Mayfield was also on hand at the Sports Spectacular to combat diabetes. The 23-year-old QB said technology and video games have a lot of kids staying inside, but getting out and exercising is "great not only for physical health but for mental health too." As for heading into his rookie year with the Cleveland Browns, who went 0-16 last season, "people don’t have high expectations for us but we know what we have," he said.
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Constance Schwartz-Morini, partner and co-founder of SMAC Entertainment, was also honored with the Visionary Award for her work with clients such as NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.
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US Women's National Hockey Team at HEROES at the ESPYS pre-party event in LA
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Sports Spectacular Gala launches ESPYS week events, as ESPN the Magazine spotlights bravery and philanthropy at the HEROES party
The 2018 ESPYS take place live on Wednesday from the Microsoft Theater but ESPN's annual awards extravaganza has turned into a week-long event as the biggest names in sports descend on Los Angeles -- swapping their jerseys and cleats for designer clothes and cool shoes.