Immediately following the spring NFL owner’s meetings last week, new Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper flew to Charlotte for a meeting with some of his players. The league had announced a new national anthem policy and Tepper wanted to address any concerns from his team.
The new policy states any players on the field during the playing of the national anthem should be standing but an option remains for personnel to remain inside the locker room. Tepper, aware these decisions have the potential to divide a team, took a preemptive measure and met with veteran Panthers leaders immediately.