New York Jets chairman and part-owner Christopher Johnson won't punish Jets players for protesting the national anthem, despite the organization being fined for it, and has offered to pay any fines himself, reports Newsday.
Why it matters: Johnson's announcement deliberately undermines the NFL's new rule requiring players to stand for the national anthem — a rule league owners unanimously voted to approve. If players choose to take a knee, the organization will be fined. Johnson, brother of U.S. ambassador to the U.K. Woody Johnson, is the first member of any NFL organization to publicly oppose the rule.
The NFL announced a new policy today that will require players on the field to stand while the national anthem is played during its upcoming season. While violations will see a fine levied against the team by the league — along with potential repercussions from the league office — players may also choose to remain off the field or in the locker room during the anthem if they do not wish to stand.
