NFL considers proposed 15-yard penalty for kneeling, report says

(FOX News) -- NFL owners, during a meeting Tuesday, reportedly considered a new punishment for players who choose to kneel during the national anthem: a 15-yard penalty against the team.

Under the proposal, the home team would decide whether both sides should be on the field during the Star Spangled Banner -- and if so, 15-yard penalties would be handed out if anyone kneels, Sports Illustrated reported.

The NFL did not immediately respond to FOX News' request for comment.

The proposal would represent a notably different response from the NFL after a wave of national anthem protests, which were started by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

During the 2016-2017 NFL season, Kaepernick started kneeling during the anthem as part of a protest against police brutality. The hotly contested move was later adapted by other players as well, including former teammate Eric Reid.

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