The NFL Players’ Association announced Tuesday it filed a non-injury grievance opposing the league’s new policy outlining player behavior the playing of the national anthem.
The policy, which was approved at the NFL owners' spring meeting in Atlanta, requires players to stand on the sideline or remain in the team locker room during the playing of the anthem.
The NFLPA said in its statement asked the NFL to begin discussions to work toward a solution involving player protests over social issues. The NFL agreed to begin discussions in the future, according to the statement.
“The union’s claim is that this new policy, imposed by the NFL’s governing body without consolation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective-bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights,” the NFLPA statement read in part. “In advance of our filing today, we propose to the NFL to begin confidential discussions with the NFLPA Executive Committee to find a solution to this issue instead of immediately proceeding with litigation.
“The NFL has agreed to proceed those discussions and we look forward to starting them soon.”
The silent protests of police brutality and social injustice by NFL players who took a knee, sat or raised a fist during the pre-game playing on the anthem over the past two seasons drew criticism from some NFL fans and most notably from President Donald Trump who frequently spoke out against the NFL and players who participated in protests over the past year.
Several NFL players have peacefully protested over the past two seasons after former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began taking a knee during the national anthem in the 2016 season.
Kaepernick, currently a free agent, and former 49ers teammate Eric Reid have filed collusion cases against the NFL in recent months.
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