Report: NFL Did Not Hold Official Vote for National Anthem Policy Change

The NFL's new policy requiring players and team personnel to stand for the national anthem reportedly didn't go to an official vote at the league's meetings.  

Per ESPN The Magazine's Seth Wickersham, NFL executives knew how owners would vote after taking an unofficial poll, but they didn't conduct an official vote before passing the measure. 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Wednesday a new policy that requires all players and personnel on the field to stand for the anthem. If they choose not to, they will be allowed to stay in the locker room or another area off the field until after the anthem is finished. 

Teams will be subject to fines if players and personnel don't stand while on the field when the anthem is played. 

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Goodell said the policy was "unanimously adopted" by all 32 teams. 

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York told reporters he abstained from voting on the policy. 

The 49ers were the first team at the center of protesting during the national anthem. Former quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the movement to protest racial oppression throughout the United States during the 2016 preseason. 

The NFLPA issued a statement after the measure was adopted, saying the league never consulted the union about changing the policy, and it will "challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement."