NFL Notebook: Owners approve new national anthem policy

NFL owners unanimously approved a new policy on Wednesday that requires players and league personnel on the sideline to stand for the national anthem, but gives them the option to remain in the locker room if they desire. The policy subjects teams to a fine if a player or any other personnel do not show respect for the anthem. Those clubs also will have the option to fine any team personnel for the infraction. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the six changes under the policy were approved by team owners at the league meetings in Atlanta. San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York said he abstained from voting, in part, due to the lack of player involvement in the decision process, per NFL Network's Steve Wyche. "This season, all league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem," Goodell said in a statement. "Personnel who choose not to stand for the anthem may stay in the locker room until after the anthem has been performed. We believe today's decision will keep our focus on the game and the extraordinary athletes who play it -- and on our fans who enjoy it." Goodell outlined the new anthem-policy rules as agreed upon by the owners in his statement: "1. All team and league personnel on the field shall stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem. "2. The Game Operations Manual will be revised to remove the requirement that all players be on the field for the anthem. "3. Personnel who choose not to stand for the anthem may stay in the locker room or in a similar location off the field until after the anthem has been performed. "4. A club will be fined by the League if its personnel are on the field and do not stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem. "5. Each club may develop its own work rules, consistent with the above principles, regarding its personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem. "6. The Commissioner will impose appropriate discipline on league personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem." The NFL Players Association was quick to issue a statement on the heels of the new policy. "The NFL chose to not consult the union in the development of this new 'policy,'" the statement read. "NFL players have shown their patriotism through their social activism, their community service, in support of our military and law enforcement and yes, through their protests to raise awareness about the issues they care about. "The vote by NFL club CEOs today contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Chairman of the NFL's Management Council John Mara about the principles, values and patriotism of our League. "Our union will review the new 'policy' and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement." The anthem issue has been a divisive one, with some feeling players not standing for the song is disrespectful to, among others, the U.S. military. Others feel it is the players' right to protest perceived social injustice peacefully. The change in policy comes after some players elected against standing for the national anthem. Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the movement in 2016 to kneel during the national anthem as a protest to denounce police brutality against African-Americans, social injustice and racial inequality. Kaepernick and former 49ers safety Eric Reid have both filed collusion cases against the league after failing to land jobs as free agents. The anthem topic became a central issue for the NFL after President Trump criticized the movement during a speech last September, stating players should be fired for not standing. --The 2019 NFL Draft is headed to Music City. The Tennessee Titans will serve as the host of the 2019 NFL Draft in Nashville, Tenn. The selection was ratified by NFL team owners at the league's spring meetings in Atlanta. "Following an exciting and successful event in Dallas, we're thrilled to take the NFL Draft to Nashville," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "The city has a passionate fan base and offers iconic locations that will enable us to expand the Draft in unique ways. "We look forward to working with the Tennessee Titans, the City of Nashville, and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp to deliver a memorable celebration of football to our fans and incoming players." Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk was quick to convey her excitement with the decision. "I'm so excited for the city of Nashville and so proud that we've been selected as the host city for the 2019 NFL Draft," she said. "As we all know, Nashville has a well-deserved reputation as a city that loves the big stage and loves a big party ... we're looking forward to April of next year." Las Vegas, Denver, Kansas City and the combination bid from Cleveland/Canton, Ohio, also were considered. The Ohio contingent is expected to get strong consideration in 2020 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the NFL at the site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "We offer congratulations to Amy Adams Strunk, the Tennessee Titans and the city of Nashville and look forward to a great fan celebration during the 2019 NFL Draft," Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said. "The Hall of Fame in partnership with the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Sports Commission and Visit Canton stand ready to host the NFL Draft in 2020 should we be selected. "In the meantime, the Hall and the entire Canton region remains focused on preparing for the once-in-every-other-lifetime opportunity in 2020 to celebrate the NFL's Centennial in Canton, the birthplace of the league." The 2018 NFL Draft was held last month at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It marked the first time that the event took place inside an NFL stadium. --The Super Bowl is returning to Arizona and New Orleans, the NFL announced following a vote of team owners at the league's spring meetings in Atlanta. The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., will host Super Bowl LVII in 2023, while the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans will be the site of Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. "We're thrilled by the unanimous vote," Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill said. "And we look forward to making this the most fan-friendly Super Bowl in the history of Super Bowls, and bigger and better than any Super Bowl. So, we're excited to host it." With Super Bowl LVII being held at University of Phoenix Stadium, Arizona will join South Florida, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay as the only sites selected to host the Super Bowl on at least four occasions. The University of Phoenix Stadium hosted the Super Bowl in 2008, when the New York Giants stunned the unbeaten New England Patriots, and 2015 when the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks. "We are very grateful that the NFL and its owners have once again selected Arizona to host the preeminent event in sports," Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee Chairman David Rousseau said. "It is a testament to the stellar reputation that our community has earned for staging world-class events and there are none bigger than the Super Bowl. We clearly have the facilities, the infrastructure and most importantly the people to execute an event that has proven to have such a profoundly positive impact on our region." New Orleans is getting the game for the 11th time, which will tie Miami for the most Super Bowls by a host city. Tulane Stadium hosted Super Bowls in 1970, 1972 and 1975 and Mercedes-Benz Stadium (formerly the Superdome) has hosted seven Super Bowls, most recently in 2013 when the Baltimore Ravens edged the San Francisco 49ers. The NFL has the venues for the next six Super Bowls locked up, namely Atlanta (2019), Miami (2020), Tampa (2021), Los Angeles (2022), Arizona (2023) and New Orleans (2024). --Four-time Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin is not participating in the Dallas Cowboys' organized team activities, coach Jason Garrett said. Garrett said Martin's contract situation was the reason for his decision. Martin did show up at the team's training complex and went through a regular workout on his own Tuesday. Martin, 27, is set to play this season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. He will earn a base salary of $9.3 million. "Obviously, there's a contract situation going on there -- the business of the NFL," Garrett said. "We'll see how that gets resolved here. But that's really the reason he hasn't practiced up to this point." Martin has not missed a game since the Cowboys selected him with the 16th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Martin is expected to attend the Cowboys' mandatory three-day minicamp on June 12-14. -- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft isn't concerned about the respective absences of superstar quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski from organized team activities. Why? Well, Kraft offered a succinct four-word answer to reporters on Wednesday morning at the owners meeting in Atlanta. "These are voluntary workouts," Kraft said. Kraft noted Brady's family responsibilities for his absence. He also said that the three-time NFL Most Valuable Player is "very excited" about the mandatory minicamp, which is scheduled for June 5-7. Gronkowski's absence from OTAs also wasn't a cause for concern for Kraft. "I'm pretty sure he'll be there, as well," Kraft said. Kraft's comments come one day after Patriots coach Bill Belichick was mum with reporters on the absences of Brady and Gronkowski. "Yeah, I'm not going to talk about the people who aren't here. Guys that are here are improving, they're working hard and those are the guys we're going to focus on," Belichick said. Multiple media outlets have reported that both Brady and Gronkowski are seeking new contracts ahead of the 2018 regular season. Brady has two years remaining on his current deal and is scheduled to earn a base salary of $14 million in 2018, while Gronkowski also has two years remaining on his current contact -- which pays a base salary of $8 million. Per the Boston Globe, Brady has been seen training both on the beach and on the field at UCLA. The newspaper also reported that he is expected to invite Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman and Gronkowski to Montana for additional workouts in July. Gronkowski initially raised doubts about his playing future mere moments after Super Bowl LII, with rumors circulating of a career in acting, professional wrestling and even dirt-bike riding for the affable star. --Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn't expect free-agent wide receiver Dez Bryant to be his newest teammate. The topic initially was floated by Bryant's former Dallas Cowboys teammate and now ESPN "Monday Night Football" analyst Jason Witten, who predicted last week that the wide receiver could end up in Green Bay because Rodgers "throws that back-shoulder throw so well." Rodgers, who is a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and six-time Pro Bowl selection, essentially poured cold water on Witten's prediction involving the 29-year-old Bryant. "Well, we like young receivers, so I'm assuming that's the way they're going to keep going," the 34-year-old Rodgers said. "I don't know why you'd cut Jordy (Nelson) and bring in Dez. "But he's a talented player. He's going to end up somewhere. If he ends up here, we'll obviously welcome him with open arms and get him up to speed as quick as possible." The Packers parted ways with Nelson -- and his salary -- shortly after signing offseason acquisition Jimmy Graham to a three-year, $30 million contract in March. Green Bay features Davante Adams and Randall Cobb at wideout, with third-year receiver Geronimo Allison expected to step up this season. The 24-year-old Allison, an undrafted receiver out of Illinois, has 35 catches and 455 yards with two touchdowns in 25 career games. The Packers also acquired a trio of wide receivers in the 2018 NFL Draft in Missouri's J'Mon Moore (fourth round), South Florida's Marquez Valdes-Scantling (fifth round) and Notre Dame's Equanimeous St. Brown (sixth round). Bryant reportedly hasn't drawn much interest since he was released by the Cowboys on April 13 after eight seasons with the team. He reportedly turned down a multiyear offer from the Baltimore Ravens prior to the 2018 NFL Draft in a bid to find the right fit on a one-year deal that could help secure a bigger contract the following year. --The Los Angeles Chargers are considering turning their attention back to Antonio Gates after fellow tight end Hunter Henry sustained a torn ACL injury, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. Henry, who was expected to be a focal point of the Chargers' offense in 2018, injured his right knee while running downfield on the first day of OTAs on Tuesday. The 23-year-old is expected to get a second opinion on Wednesday, although the likely scenario has him done for the season, per multiple media reports. The transition from Gates to Henry started in 2016 when the club used a second-round pick on the Arkansas product. Henry recorded 45 receptions for 579 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games in 2017 before a lacerated kidney ended his season. Considered a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Gates had a reduced role with the Chargers in 2017, playing 478 snaps and making 30 receptions for 316 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Gates, 37, hadn't had fewer than 49 catches in a season since recording 30 as a rookie. An eight-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro, Gates is the Chargers' all-time leader in receptions (927), receiving yards (11,508) and touchdowns (114), with his touchdown total an NFL record for tight ends. Gates has caught 87 touchdown passes from Philip Rivers, the most in league history for a quarterback-tight end tandem. --Quarterback Ryan Tannehill of the Miami Dolphins recently visited the medical team that performed surgery on his left knee in Dallas and received a full clean bill of health. Tannehill sustained the injury in training camp last August and missed the 2017 season. "I went back last week and got fully cleared to play football," Tannehill said on Wednesday. "I'm cleared to play football, so whatever that entails I can go do it." The Dolphins tweeted a short video clip of Tannehill taking the practice field with teammates for organized team activities, and he wasn't wearing a protective sleeve or brace on the knee. However, Tannehill said he will take preventive measures to protect the surgically repaired knee from hits to the side by wearing a protective brace during the regular season. --Free-agent tight end Marcedes Lewis is expected to visit the Green Bay Packers this week, according to a published report. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Lewis is looking to latch on with the Packers after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 20. The Jaguars signed Lewis to a one-year, $3.5 million option on Feb. 20 before releasing him on the heels of adding free agent tight ends Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Niles Paul. Lewis made 24 receptions for 318 yards and five touchdowns in 2017 and also had four catches for 21 yards and a score in the playoffs. The 34-year-old has 375 receptions for 4,502 yards with 33 touchdowns in 170 career games since being selected by Jacksonville with the 28th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft. --Free-agent wide receiver Bernard Reedy signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team announced. The 5-9, 175-pound Reedy played in nine games for the Buccaneers last season before being waived and signed by the New England Patriots. He played in two games and spent time on the Patriots' practice squad before he was released recently. Reedy, who was signed by Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Toledo in 2014, played in 11 total games last season, making two receptions for 21 yards, and rushed three times for 17 yards. He also returned 18 punts for 175 yards and seven kickoffs for 145 yards. The Buccaneers also announced that wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck has been waived/injured. --Quarterback Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texas participated in individual and 7-and-7 drills during organized team activities and said his surgically repaired right knee held up well. Watson sustained the injury during practice last Nov. 2 and underwent surgery a week later, ending his rookie season. "My knee feels well," Watson said via the Texans' official website. "I'm comfortable to be able to go out there and throw and do some things on air and get the timing down with the receivers." Watson told reporters a week ago that his rehab was going well. Before suffering the knee injury, Watson amassed 1,699 yards passing and 19 touchdowns in seven games, adding 269 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 36 carries. The Texans averaged 40 points per game between Weeks 4 and 8 with Watson at quarterback. --Linebacker Anthony Barr of the Minnesota Vikings seems to be in line for a contract extension, but since it hasn't happened yet, he is skipping the team's organized team activities, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Barr attended Viking head coach Mike Zimmer's football camp over the weekend, but decided to pass on the voluntary team work. "He came to me and said he wasn't going to be here," Zimmer said Wednesday. "I don't worry about those things. I just know the conversation we had, I'll keep between myself and him." The 26-year-old Barr is entering the final year of his contract. His $12.306 million base salary is guaranteed, but he has no workout bonuses in his deal, so he is not losing any money. --Cornerback Senquez Golson was released by the Oakland Raiders, Field Yates of ESPN reported. Golson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft, but still has not played in an NFL game after being an All-American at Mississippi. The Steelers expected Golson to be an impact player, but he was released before last season after missing his rookie year because of a shoulder injury and 2016 because of a foot injury. Golson was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season and spent only a week on their practice squad before being released, and was unemployed until being signed by the Raiders last month.