Dolphins’ Ross won’t force players to stand

Dolphins owner reverses course, says players allowed to kneel.

Owner says he thinks kneeling is an ineffective way to protest, but he won’t implement a ban.

‘I have no intention of forcing our players to stand during the anthem and I regret that my comments have been misconstrued.’ Stephen Ross

Miami Dolphins owner

A day after saying flatly that all

Dolphins players will be standing for the national anthem next season, owner Stephen Ross issued a statement Tuesday backing off that comment and making clear there will be no anti-kneeling policy.

“I have no intention of forcing our players to stand during the anthem

and I regret that my comments have been misconstrued,” Ross said. “I’ve shared my opinion with all our players: I’m passionate about the cause of social justice and I feel that kneeling is an ineffective tactic that alienates more people than it enlists.”

Ross intended to say that his players “should” stand for the anthem, a team spokesman explained. The New York Daily News quoted him saying Monday, “All of our players will be standing.” Ross and the

Dolphins did not claim that he was

misquoted.

Dolphins players have been at the forefront of the protest move

ment since its beginnings in 2016, when four of them kneeled during the national anthem at the season opener to speak out against racial inequality in America. Ross was one of the most vocal owners in the NFL supporting their cause and their freedom of expression.

The team briefly had a no-kneeling policy last season, when coach Adam Gase required players to either stand Ross continued on C5

PHELAN M. EBENHACK / ASSOCIATED PRESS 2015 Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross (second from left) said his comments were misconstrued regarding the team’s policy toward players who kneel during the playing of the national anthem.