DOLPHINS COULD SUSPEND ANTHEM PROTESTERS
Suspension of up to 4 games for protest part of submission to NFL.
MIAMI — Miami Dolphins players who protest on the field during the national anthem this season could be suspended up to four games, according to a team policy submitted to the NFL.
However, a team source said Thursday that the issue would be addressed during the season and that all options are still on the table.
All NFL teams needed to submit a policy as part of a series of broader “detrimental conduct” guidelines. The Dolphins viewed the anthem inclusion as essentially a placeholder — it is just one sentence in a nine-page document, according to The Associated Press.
Still, this is a politically charged, hotly debated topic that figures to linger well into the 2018 season.
At one point this offseason, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross made comments to the New York Daily News on the subject, including, “All of our players will be standing.”
But Ross, who has dedicated millions to an organization he created to bring people together and promote respect and equality, later sought to clarify the comments, which he said had been misconstrued.
“I have no intention of forcing our players to stand during the anthem,” Ross said. He added that he is passionate about the cause of social justice but feels that kneeling is an ineffective tactic.
This offseason, the NFL announced a new anthem policy, but it hasn’t seemed to pacify many players or fans.
The league announced that players will be required to stand if they are on the field, but they can choose to remain in the locker room. It also stated that teams are subject to fines if players protest.
The new league rules were challenged this month in a grievance by the NFL Players Association.
It was left up to individual clubs to determine any discipline to players. This announcement did not please the players union and left some players confused or frustrated.
Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills, an activist who often volunteers in the community and has knelt during the national anthem, said he has not made a decision about kneeling this season.
“We have plenty of time,” Stills said in late May. “I think I’m going to continue, like I said, to do the work that I’ve been doing as far as being in the community and trying to lead and do things the right way and try to make change. When the time comes when I have to make a decision, then I’ll make a decision.”
Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who also has knelt, was asked in May about the new NFL policy.
“Obviously, my opinion doesn’t matter, so I’m just going to stick to football questions,” Phillips said.
Defensive end Robert Quinn has raised his fist on the sideline in protest of social injustice. After the Dolphins acquired Quinn from the Rams in a trade, he said: “They killed Indians, built off the backs of the blacks and yet they tell us to keep quiet. At the end of the day, let’s confront the situation and let’s bring humanity and friendship.
“Let’s get rid of all the ignorance. Let’s face it head on, look at each other as humans and I always live by this one law: Treat each other like you want to be treated.”
At one point last season, Dolphins coach Adam Gase instituted a policy requiring players to stand or stay in the locker room. But a few weeks later, Gase reversed course. Stills and former Dolphins Julius Thomas and Michael Thomas were told they could kneel if they felt they needed to.
This remains a highly emotional issue and the NFL, the Dolphins and the players union are still sorting through how to address it all.