NFL, NFLPA issue joint statement on anthem; policy put on hold

The statement reads in full:

"The NFL and NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a
resolution to the anthem issue. In order to allow this constructive dialogue
to continue, we have come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA's grievance
and on the NFL's anthem policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be
issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential
discussions are ongoing.

"The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly
demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities
across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice.

"Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue
through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation."

The statement comes hours after news emerged that the Miami Dolphins have
classified violations of the league's new anthem policy under "conduct
detrimental to the club," which could allow -- but not necessarily require --
the team to fine or suspend players as punishment for violating the policy.

Multiple reports said the Dolphins -- who made the classification in a
discipline schedule submitted annually at the start of training camp -- have
made no decisions about if or how they would discipline any violations. Under
the collective bargaining agreement, teams are allowed to impose anything from
fines to a four-game suspension as punishment for regulations classified under
the conduct detrimental heading.

The NFLPA filed a grievance last week challenging the NFL's new anthem policy,
saying the policy was imposed without consultation of the players and "is
inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player
rights."

The NFL and its owners passed the new policy this offseason, requiring players
to "stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem" or stay in the locker
room during the playing of the anthem. The policy calls for fines and
punishment to be charged to a player's team for any mode of disrespect during
the anthem.

Teams must pay the fines, but they can choose whether or not to punish their
players, something New York Jets chairman Christopher Johnson has already said
he will not do. Any punishment imposed by a team upon one of its players must
come via the conduct detrimental classification.

--Field Level Media