It was reported on Thursday by the Associated Press that the Miami Dolphins had put a clause in their player handbook that could lead a player to have a four-game suspension if they kneeled for the National Anthem.
According to Jeff Darlington of ESPN, although that is in the player handbook, the Dolphins haven't made any decision if they will punish players who don't stand during the National Anthem.
Sources with Dolphins and NFL say Miami merely submitted annual discipline schedule, as required by league at dates set in conjunction with camp. Dolphins are among first to report for camp. They have not finalized any objective discipline measures for protesting during Anthem.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) July 19, 2018
Every team is required to have their rules submitted by the first day of camp, so if it wasn't in there before training camp starts it could not be added later. With it in the rulebook, the team can now decide at a later date if they want to enforce the rules or let the players kneel with no repercussions.
In may the rules were changed that fined teams if players knelt during the National Anthem. Owners could then decide if they wanted to pass those fines onto the players or just pay it out of their own pocket.
The decision to fine the team grew a lot of criticism and the Dolphins decision to put this in their team rulebook has also grown a lot of outrage.
No Dolphins player has spoken up against the rules at this point, but Jurrell Casey of the Tennessee Titans has spoken out against the rules saying he is still going to kneel and will take any fine that might end up coming his way. The Titans haven't announced if they will punish players who kneel during the Anthem.
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