The NFL’s new rules regarding player conduct during the playing of the national anthem do not sit well with outspoken Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
The NFL announced Wednesday it will allow players to remain in the locker room while the anthem plays. However, teams will be fined if players and other personnel on the field "do not stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem."
According to Kerr, this is the league “playing to their fanbase” and President Donald Trump with “fake patriotism.” His full comment to reporters is below:
In reality, the NBA has a similar rule to the one just passed by the NFL. Under “Player/Team Conduct and Dress” in the NBA's official rulebook it states: "Players, coaches and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem."
The NBA sent a memo to teams in 2017 that said its league office "will determine how to deal with any possible instance in which a player, coach or trainer does not stand for the anthem.”
Days after that memo was sent, commissioner Adam Silver addressed the potential of players kneeling and said: "If that were to happen, we'll deal with it when it happens."
