Politics

NFL Considers Blocking Anthem Protests. Here’s Where The Protesters Would Be Forced To Kneel Next Season

Benny Johnson Columnist, Viral Politics
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It has not been a good season for NFL kneelers and National Anthem protesters.  

Fans have reacted with literal fire and fury as the anthem protests have swept across the NFL. People are tuning out in record numbers while attendance at games has dropped to its lowest level in decades.

The league has been caught flat-footed on the issue and is scrambling to keep the rage of fans at bay as the PR nightmare continues to unfold.  Now, it seems the league is ready to make a permanent solution to the problem.

Reports indicate that if the protests continue, the NFL will make official rules dictating where and how the protesters can make their political statements. According to The Washington Post, the new rules being considered by team owners and NFL executives will outlaw all protests during the anthem and confine protesters to the locker room if they wish to sit out the anthem.

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Houston Texans v Seattle Seahawks

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images.

Oct 29, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Lamarr Houston (58) and cornerback Kevin Johnson (30) kneel during the national anthem before kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

(Photo Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports/REUTERS)

“I think that if players are still kneeling at the end of the year, then it could very well happen,” one source familiar with the owners’ deliberations told The Washington Post.

The Post notes that implementing a policy preventing players from kneeling for the anthem would “have the support of a significant number of owners” and could be addressed at the March NFL administrative meetings.

While the policy is far from set yet, it seems a natural next step for the league. President Trump, who in-part instigated the mass protests to begin with, tweeted this after the news:

The new rules will certainly not be appreciated by the social justice crowd.