NFL owners once again showed the cowardice that has run through their veins ever since Donald Trump used the national anthem controversy to deflect from his own problems and inserted himself into the situation. Since African-American players decided to use a silent free speech to protest over the treatment by law enforcement during the anthem, mostly conservative critics cried out in disapproval, but it wasn't until Trump stepped in that ramped up the nonsense. ESPN: NFL owners have unanimously approved a new national anthem policy that requires players to stand if they are on the field during the performance but gives them the option to remain in the locker room if they prefer, it was announced Wednesday. -- All 32 owners approved the policy, which will be part of the NFL's game operations manual and thus not subject to collective bargaining.