Sports | October 13, 2017 11:39 am

Two Colleges Follow NFL’s Lead in Cracking Down on Athlete Protests

Kennesaw State and Albright College put restrictions in place after separate situations.

Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones owner says player who kneel during anthem won't play.

Members of the Dallas Cowboys link arms before the National Anthem at the start of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 25, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

By Will Levith

The National Football League may not want to admit it, but it appears to be acquiescing with the president’s call to stamp out sideline protests. Remarks from Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones certainly didn’t help—and owners are set to meet next week to discuss the option.

While the national debate has been mostly focused on the NFL, it’s also one that has dribbled into college athletics, too. Per Deadspin, a pair of colleges have followed the NFL’s lead in cracking down on athlete protests.

After several members of the Kennesaw State cheerleading team kneeled during the national anthem on Sept. 30, the school promptly moved the cheerleading squad indoors during the playing of the anthem for the rest of the season.

Also, when a backup quarterback at Albrecht College kneeled during the anthem, team officials put forth a decree, allowing players to take a knee only during the coin toss, not during the anthem. When the player continued taking a knee after the “rule” had been put in place, he was kicked off the team.