Sad news: The Miami Dolphins have just announced one of their best players suspensions due to domestic violence
A team guideline announced this week states that Miami Dolphins players who demonstrate on the field during the playing of the national anthem may face a four-game suspension.
Within a nine-page disciplinary document that was sent to The Associated Press, a person familiar with the policy insisted on remaining anonymous since the material is not available to the public. The section titled “Proper Anthem Conduct” comprises only one statement. Anthem protests are under a broad category of “conduct detrimental to the club,” all of which are punishable by a fine, a paid or unpaid suspension, or both.
The NFL ruled in May that teams would be penalized if players failed to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner” while on the field, which is when Miami’s anthem policy was implemented. The league gave teams the freedom to discipline players. The team policies are all confidential.
Players are not permitted to sit or take a knee during the playing of the national anthem if they are on the field or sidelines, but they are free to remain in their locker rooms. This month, the players union filed a grievance against the new league regulations.
The NFL chose not to respond. Officials from the team did not immediately respond.
The 16th and last bullet point in the list of actions deemed detrimental states, “Players who are on the field during the Anthem performance must stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.” This is followed by riding motorcycles during the season and making disparaging remarks about teammates, coaches, or officials, such as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The NFLPA stated earlier this month that the NFL policy violates player rights and is incompatible with the collective bargaining agreement. The NFL regulation was implemented by the league without consulting the players union. The filing will be heard by an impartial arbitrator, an NFLPA official said.
Goodell described the league’s announcement of the policy as a compromise meant to return attention to football following a turbulent season that saw a roughly 10% decline in broadcast viewership.
