NFL Says It Won’t Force Players to Stand for Anthem

NFL Says It Won’t Force Players to Stand for Anthem
Members of the Detroit Lions take a knee during the playing of the national anthem prior to the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field in Detroit on Sept. 24, 2017. Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
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The NFL said on Friday it has no plans to mandate players stand for the U.S. national anthem, but will rather present a possible solution for how to end the controversial protests when it meets with team owners next week.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, along with the head of the NFL Players Association, will meet with the owners Oct. 17-18 in New York, where the issue of player protests during the national anthem is expected to command much attention.