The NFL Will Not Ask Players to Stop Kneeling During the National Anthem

League looking to continue dialogue with players and owners going forward.

After Tuesday’s meeting between National Football League execs, owners, and players, the most contentious issue has not been resolved.

Per The Ringer, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league would not ask players to stand during the national anthem—despite earlier reports to the contrary. “We did not ask for that,” Goodell told the media. “We spent today talking about the issues that players have been trying to bring attention to—issues to make our communities better. I think we all agree there’s nothing more important than trying to give back to our communities and make them better. That was the entire focus of today.”

Reaction from players to the meeting was mixed. Indianapolis Colts defensive back Darius Butler told ESPN that “I think the ownership, the team, the league, and the players, I think are all going in the right direction.” San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid, who has been a vocal supporter of his former teammate Colin Kaepernick, told Sports Illustrated that he would continue his sideline protests. He also said that, despite the open line of communication to owners and the league, “There wasn’t much that was going to happen in a two-hour meeting. We started this to raise awareness and to effectuate change. We’re on the path to make the change we think we can make, we are just not there yet.” Other players even told a SportsNet New York analyst that “nothing got done.”

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