After a season marked by controversy over protests during the national anthem, the NFL’s 32 owners have voted unanimously to alter the rules regarding what happens before games, the league announced Wednesday.
Players will be allowed to stay in the locker room instead of standing on the field while the anthem is played or sung. If a player takes the field but does not stand for the anthem, the league will fine the player’s team.
The previous policy, changed in 2009, required players to be on the field for the anthem.
The 32 owners also agreed Wednesday to let individual teams create their own rules regarding the anthem.