NFL Players Union Files Grievance Over Kneeling Mandate On Tuesday, the NFL Players Association filed a grievance against the league, arguing that the kneeling policy infringes on players’ rights. NFLPA, via Twitter The new policy was mandated in May, and called for players to “ stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.” If not, they are to retreat to the locker rooms, and wait until the anthem is over. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, via CNN The kneeling protests were started in 2016 by former San Francisco 49ers player
Colin Kaepernick and went on to become a
hot topic in political and
cultural debates across
the country. Kaepernick has also filed a grievance against the NFL, suspecting he is being blacklisted and kept as a free agent due to the protests.