The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Browns have mixed reaction to new policy
A new rule in the NFL requires players who choose to be on the field during the national anthem to stand.
Browns players had mixed reactions on May 23 when informed NFL owners passed a rule allowing players to stay inside the locker room for the national anthem, but requiring those who choose to be on the field to stand.
The owners made the ruling to mute the protests that started with former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sitting on the bench for the national anthem prior to a preseason game on Aug. 14, 2016. Kaepernick began kneeling and said he was doing so because of what he perceives to be social injustice.
Other players began to follow Kaepernick’s lead. The protests soured some fans and were blamed for a drop in television ratings the last two years.
The owners might have thought their new anthem rule would be a compromise. Players who want to protest can just stay in the locker room. But the ruling isn’t setting well with the NFLPA because the union was not consulted.
“To make a decision that strong you would hope the players would have input on it, but obviously not,” quarterback Tyrod Taylor said. “That’s what we have to deal with as players — not a good or bad thing – at the end of the day they call the shots and make the rules so that’s what we have to abide by.
“I think the main thing out of all of it is that each ball club is having open communication with the players and the ownership about the issues that are going on in the community and trying to change it. I know Mr. Jim and Mrs. Dee Haslam, leaving the team that I came from in Buffalo, they’ve been proactive about the situation and trying to do things in the community.”
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry did not protest while with the Dolphins and has no plans to rock the boat in Cleveland.
“It’s a controversial topic,” Landry said. “I know for me personally — and I can only speak for myself — I respect the f lag. I use that moment to come to peace and take all the elements in, so for me personally it doesn’t bother me or affect me and I’ll leave it at that.”
Running back Duke Johnson said however the Browns respond, they will respond as a team.
“If we decided to do something as a team for the national anthem that will be discussed later,” Johnson said. “It’s a long time before we actually get on the field. ( There’s) a lot we have to get in order before we start talking about getting on the field.
“That ’s not my call. If the owners feel that’s what they need to do, then they do it. But at the end of the day this football team will decide what we want and what we think is best at that moment so it’s OK.”