Miami Dolphins To Suspend Players Who Protest National Anthem Before Games

By
Randy Oliver
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APNewsBreak – Miami Dolphins players who protest on the field during the national anthem could be suspended for up to four games under a team policy issued this week.

The “Proper Anthem Conduct” section is just one sentence in a nine-page discipline document provided to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the policy who insisted on anonymity because the document is not public. It classifies anthem protests under a large list of “conduct detrimental to the club,” all of which could lead to a paid or unpaid suspension, a fine or both.

Miami’s anthem policy comes after the NFL decided in May that teams would be fined if players didn’t stand during “The Star-Spangled Banner” while on the field. The league left it up to teams on how to punish players. None of the team policies have been made public.

The NFL rule forbids players from sitting or taking a knee if they are on the field or sidelines during the national anthem, but allows them to stay in the locker room if they wish. The new league rules were challenged this month in a grievance by the players union.

The NFL declined to comment. Team officials had no immediate comment.

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166 COMMENTS

  52. Mike Mayock should send Giants GM David Gettleman a gift basket. The stink of the Giants’ reach for Jones drowned out the groans of Raiders fans dumbfounded by Oakland’s selection of defensive end Clelin Ferrell with the No. 4 overall pick. Ferrell is a quality player and certainly a first-round talent, but top-five is quite a stretch. Mayock himself thought Ferrell would be a trade-down possibility, and yet, with superior pass rushers like Josh Allen, Ed Oliver, and Rashan Gary still on the board, the Raiders stood pat and took Ferrell.