Peaceful or not, understood or misunderstood, the NFL and it’s teams are feeling the backlash from its fans. Following an almost league wide demonstration over comments made by the President in week four, teams are now being told to stand.
A league rule mandates that the National Anthem be played before every game and that rule also requires but does not mandate the players stand. Players are to hold their helmets in their left hand and are asked not to talk. The rule also requires players to be on the sideline as well. The NFL goes so far as to say that a team or a player could be fined if it is not followed.