NFL keeps national anthem policy as is

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Wednesday the professional sports league believes players should stand during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” but it will not require them to do so. Many players knelt during the national anthem earlier this season in protest of racial inequality in the United States. Their critics, including President Donald Trump, called on the NFL to strengthen its requirements that players stand to show respect for the flag and institute harsher punishments for those who don’t. Eleven team owners and about a dozen players met at NFL headquarters Tuesday to discuss the issue. At a news conference Wednesday, Goodell noted that only six or seven players are still kneeling or are involved in protests. “We hope we will continue to work to put that at zero,” he said. Asked about any owners who threatened discipline for players who didn't stand, Goodell said the owners did not discuss it. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said previously that any Dallas player who doesn’t stand for the national anthem will not play.