Minnesota Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf told reporters that the organization supports the NFL’s new anthem policy and that each member of the team will be on the same page.
League owners approved a new policy last month that requires players and league personnel on the sideline to stand for the national anthem but gives them the option to remain in the locker room if they desire.
The policy subjects teams to a fine if a player or any other personnel do not show respect for the anthem. Those clubs will also have the option to fine any team personnel for the infraction.
“Whatever we do, we’re going to do as a team,” Wilf said, via the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “That involves working on social justice issues, hearing from the players and really partnering with them. We’ve been in the process of having those conversations to do some great things in the community as they have done for many years, but more focused on some of the social justice issues that are of concern to them.
“We look forward to advancing some of the great things we do in the community.”
Wilf cited his personal background as it relates to how he feels about the anthem.
“Our players are very respectful — and our ownership, our organization, our franchise — of the military and what that flag means,” Wilf said Friday. “I can tell you as a son of immigrants I think it’s very important for our ownership. I think we all understand that. We’re in a good place on all this and we just look forward to really working together.”
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is on record as saying that the team will stand for the anthem.
“I think it’s important we stand for the anthem,” Zimmer said recently. “A lot of people have died for that flag. That flag represents our country and what we stand for.”
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