The NFL and NFL Players Association issued a joint statement on Thursday night announcing that league and team policies surrounding conduct during the national anthem are temporarily on hold.
"The NFL and NFLPA, through recent discussions, have been working on a resolution to the anthem issue," read the statement. "In order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue, we have come to a standstill agreement on the NFLPA's grievance and on the NFL's anthem policy. No new rules relating to the anthem will be issued or enforced for the next several weeks while these confidential discussions are ongoing.
"The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice.
"Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation."
The decision comes after the Miami Dolphins revealed that the NFL required teams to submit conduct rules surrounding the national anthem before the start of each club's training camp. Miami players reported on Wednesday.
The NFL Players Association filed a grievance on July 10 stating that the league's policy infringes on player rights.
The NFL announced the new anthem policy on May 23. It requires team personnel and players to stand during the pre-game tradition. Those who do not wish to do so have the option to remain in the team's locker room or a similar location off the field until the anthem is complete. Failure to comply could result in a fine against the team with personnel or players facing potential discipline from the league.
The new policy, however, does empower each NFL team to determine its own anthem policy and decide whether or not to discipline a player who protests.
Aside from the more than 20 players who knelt during Weeks 4 and 5 of the 2017 season, several San Francisco 49ers who protested during the national anthem remain on the roster. They are linebacker Eli Harold, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, cornerback K'Waun Williams, safety Adrian Colbert, defensive lineman Arik Armstead, and linebackers Reuben Foster and Dekoda Watson.
49ers CEO Jed York has been a strong vocal proponent of players' rights when it comes to peaceful protests. The team even abstained from the vote on the policy at the owners' meetings in May.
"Our players have exercised their rights as United States citizens in order to spark conversation and action to address social injustice," Yorks said via a statement in September. "We will continue to support them in their peaceful pursuit of positive change in our country and around the world."
York stated in October that the 49ers have a strong belief in the First Amendment and feel that players have the right to voice their opinions however they see fit.
"I think that's what's important and I hope that folks that are watching understand that our players aren't trying to be disrespectful to the flag," said York. "They're not disrespectful to our country. They're trying to bring awareness to issues that come from their communities that most people that look like me don't understand."
