UPDATE: Baltimore coach, Md. lawmaker respond to NFL policy regarding national anthem protests

A NFL coach and a Maryland Senator react to the league's new policy requiring players to stand during the national anthem. The policy change was announced after players previously kneeled in protest of police brutality and racial injustice.   

On Wednesday, the National Football League (NFL) announced that they have approved a new policy requiring players to stand during the playing of the national anthem. Players are apparently allowed to remain  in the locker room during the national anthem. 

The policy change comes after several NFL players kneeled on separate occasions in protest against police brutality and racial injustice within the justice system. The Associated Press (AP) reports that former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016, most notably. 

On Thursday, members of the NFL and elected officials reacted to the policy change: 

Before Thursday's Organized Team Activity, Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh said, "I believe in standing for the flag. To me, the flag represents the ideas and the ideals that make us America. I also believe in the freedoms the flag represents and that people can speak for themselves. I know this: Our players respect the flag and what it represents. And, we're all proud at the Ravens of the work they do to make this community and country better." 

Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md) weighed in saying,  " This country stands for the constitutional protections of the First Amendment – the right of freedom of speech. That's what this country is about. I share the NFL players' concerns about civil rights in America, particularly as our president adds fuel to the fire every day through his inflammatory comments and tweets. My hometown of Baltimore, home of the Ravens, has suffered greatly due to racial divisions and issues that have been buried too deeply in our community."