Eagles player: NFL ‘falls short’ in new anthem protest policy

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long denounced a new NFL policy on Wednesday that imposes penalties for players who kneel during the national anthem, saying that the league “continues to fall short” when it comes to player concerns.

“This is fear of diminished bottom line,” Long said in a statement posted on Twitter. “It’s also a fear of a president turning his base against a corporation. This is not patriotism. Don’t get confused.”

President Trump reignited a debate over the anthem protests last year, when he said at a rally that players who kneel during the anthem should be fired. He also called for a boycott of the NFL until the league cracked down on the protests.

“I will continue to be committed to affecting change with my platform,” Long continued. “I’m someone who’s always looked at the anthem as a declaration of ideals, including the right to peaceful protest. Our league continues to fall short on this issue.”

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— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) May 23, 2018

{mosads}

Long’s statement was posted hours after the NFL announced a new policy intended to prohibit players from kneeling on the sidelines during the national anthem. 

The policy imposes “appropriate discipline on league personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem,” though it also gives players the option to remain their locker rooms for the anthem rather than demonstrate on the field.

The new policy came in response to a series of on-field protests that began in 2016 with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the Star Spangled Banner to protest racial injustice and police misconduct.

The NFL Players Association, which negotiates player salaries, said on Wednesday that it planned to challenge the new policy.