ATLANTA -- During a press conference Monday afternoon, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and several NFL team owners announced changes to the league’s National Anthem policy.

The policy was unanimously approved the league’s teams. The policy will require all athletes on the field during the national anthem to stand, but those wishing not to stand will not be required to be on the field at that time. 

Ahead of the conference, Goodell released a statement that reads in part: “The efforts of many of our players sparked awareness and action around issues of social justice that must be addressed. The platform that we have created together is certainly unique in professional sports and quite likely in American business. We are honored to work with our players to drive progress. It was unfortunate that on-field protests created a false perception among many that thousands of NFL players were unpatriotic. This is not and was never the case. This season, all league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem. Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room until after the Anthem has been performed.”  

The NFL Players Association released a statement in response to the new policy: "The NFL chose to not consult the union in the development of this new 'policy.' NFL players have shown their patriotism through their social activism, their community service, in support of our military and law enforcement and yes, through their protests to raise awareness about the issues they care about. The vote by NFL club CEOs today contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Chairman of the NFL's Management Council John Mara about the principles, values and patriotism of our League. Our union will review the new 'policy' and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective barganing agreement." 

During the meeting, Goodell also mentioned the sale of the Carolina Panthers to David Tepper, saying that the league is happy to have Tepper’s leadership.

Read both statements below in full: