On Wednesday morning, all 32 NFL owners approved a National Anthem policy for the 2018 season that requires players and team personnel to stand during the performance of the Anthem if they're on the field, according to a statement from the league office and commissioner Roger Goodell. If any individuals don't wish to stand, they must remain in the locker room for the duration of the song.

If a player or other member of a team chooses to sit or kneel on the field during the playing of the National Anthem, the NFL will issue that organization a fine. All teams are also allowed to issue in-house fines to personnel who violate the new rules.

Previously, the Game Operations Manual required that all players come onto the field for the Anthem. Now, if they choose not to come out, they can either stay in the locker room or “a similar location off the field.”

In the statement, Goodell maintained that the NFL is dedicated to social justice awareness and action despite the rule change.

The efforts by many of our players sparked awareness and action around issues of social justice that must be addressed. The platform that we have created together is certainly unique in professional sports and quite likely in American business.  We are honored to work with our players to drive progress. 

It was unfortunate that on-field protests created a false perception among many that thousands of NFL players were unpatriotic. This is not and was never the case. 

…

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. 

The previous rule only said that players “should” stand during the National Anthem. The widespread kneeling across the league began with Colin Kaepernick in 2016, when he did so to protest police brutality in America. Kaepernick, as well as former teammate Eric Reid, have since filed collusion cases against the NFL as they remain free agents.