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Did NFL players break the law?
Did NFL players break the law?
You may have seen it in comment sections across social media Sunday. The so-called “rule” forcing all NFL players to be on the sidelines for the national anthem spread like wildfire.
On Sunday, many social media users posted the following text:
However, nowhere in the NFL's 2017 Official Playing Rules does the organization mention the national anthem. And pages 62 and 63 contain information on the enforcement of fouls.
View searchable 2017 NFL Rulebook
The only section of the rulebook that could relate to the issue is on page 23, Article 8 “PERSONAL MESSAGES.”
The rule states:
Several teams including the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans opted to stay in their respective locker rooms as the anthem played before their game at Nissan Stadium.
On Sunday, almost every NFL team had players who either sat down or kneeled during the national anthem in protest, one day after President Donald Trump criticized players for not standing and called on NFL owners to fire or suspend players who disrespected the flag.