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https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2018/07/29/nfl-los-angeles-rams-national-anthem-sean-mcvay/
When the Los Angeles Rams transitioned from Jeff Fisher to Sean McVay, a lot changed. There were major adjustments made on the field, in the locker room and on the coaching staff, all of which led to the team’s first playoff berth since 2004.
It was a necessary move for the Rams to make, but not everything was completely scrapped from Fisher’s reign as head coach. The cohesiveness and unity of the team during the playing of the national anthem remained.
Fisher had a strict policy for how players and coaches would arrange themselves on the sideline pre-game. It’s something he implemented long before the protests during the anthem began, and McVay didn’t change a thing when he took over as head coach.
Here’s how Fisher described the arrangement last September:
“Defense is on the left, offense is on the right and all the players are standing side by side on the sideline. Your helmets are tucked under your arm, and if you left your helmet on the bench then your hand is over your heart. Trainers, doctors and other staffers are behind the players and I’m behind them.”
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
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With player protests against inequality and police brutality becoming a big talking point in the NFL now – and with the league and Players Association unable to implement a policy that both sides agree on – McVay was asked how Los Angeles will handle protests this year. After all, players can be fined for showing any sort of protest during the anthem, aside from staying in the locker room.
McVay says the Rams plan to stand the same way they did last season, continuing to use Fisher’s model.
“Really when it first came out, what we talked about was, ‘Hey we have a mutual respect and understanding for everybody’s individual beliefs,’” McVay said. “This is how we’ve operated organizationally in the past and really it goes back to what Coach Fisher had implemented in terms of how they handle the national anthem. And I said, ‘If there’s anybody that feels differently. Certainly, we want to listen and understand where you’re coming from. We just don’t want to be caught off guard.’”
So it sounds like the Rams plan to stand for the anthem, though McVay didn’t touch on whether players would be fined for not showing “respect for the flag and the anthem.” That decision will come from someone above McVay’s pay grade than, but he’s open to hearing everyone’s opinion.
“We’ve kind of already had those conversations and guys have been great. But it kind of goes back to our theme about that clear open and honest communication and that way nobody is ever caught off guard,” he added. “But we’re also not afraid to try to listen and understand what everybody has in terms of their individual opinions or beliefs with regards to handling that matter.”
McVay said he doesn’t “anticipate any issues” with regards to how players will handle their potential protests. He plans to address the team about it again before their first playoff game against the Ravens on Aug. 9, but it sounds like everyone is on the same page.
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Up to this point, no player has expressed any concerns about how the Rams will approach this delicate situation.
“No, they’ve been great. Has been good communication,” McVay said. “That’s what you appreciate about these guys and I think as we get closer to that Baltimore date if anything comes up, then whichever player that is, if that’s the case, we’ll have a great conversation and then we’ll decide what’s the best way to handle it out of respect for everybody involved.”
For a 32-year-old coach entering his second season leading a team, he’s done a great job taking everything in stride – from uniting the locker room and his players, to overcoming Aaron Donald’s absence the past two training camps.
When the Los Angeles Rams transitioned from Jeff Fisher to Sean McVay, a lot changed. There were major adjustments made on the field, in the locker room and on the coaching staff, all of which led to the team’s first playoff berth since 2004.
It was a necessary move for the Rams to make, but not everything was completely scrapped from Fisher’s reign as head coach. The cohesiveness and unity of the team during the playing of the national anthem remained.
Fisher had a strict policy for how players and coaches would arrange themselves on the sideline pre-game. It’s something he implemented long before the protests during the anthem began, and McVay didn’t change a thing when he took over as head coach.
Here’s how Fisher described the arrangement last September:
“Defense is on the left, offense is on the right and all the players are standing side by side on the sideline. Your helmets are tucked under your arm, and if you left your helmet on the bench then your hand is over your heart. Trainers, doctors and other staffers are behind the players and I’m behind them.”
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Like this article?
Sign up for the Rams Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning
With player protests against inequality and police brutality becoming a big talking point in the NFL now – and with the league and Players Association unable to implement a policy that both sides agree on – McVay was asked how Los Angeles will handle protests this year. After all, players can be fined for showing any sort of protest during the anthem, aside from staying in the locker room.
McVay says the Rams plan to stand the same way they did last season, continuing to use Fisher’s model.
“Really when it first came out, what we talked about was, ‘Hey we have a mutual respect and understanding for everybody’s individual beliefs,’” McVay said. “This is how we’ve operated organizationally in the past and really it goes back to what Coach Fisher had implemented in terms of how they handle the national anthem. And I said, ‘If there’s anybody that feels differently. Certainly, we want to listen and understand where you’re coming from. We just don’t want to be caught off guard.’”
So it sounds like the Rams plan to stand for the anthem, though McVay didn’t touch on whether players would be fined for not showing “respect for the flag and the anthem.” That decision will come from someone above McVay’s pay grade than, but he’s open to hearing everyone’s opinion.
“We’ve kind of already had those conversations and guys have been great. But it kind of goes back to our theme about that clear open and honest communication and that way nobody is ever caught off guard,” he added. “But we’re also not afraid to try to listen and understand what everybody has in terms of their individual opinions or beliefs with regards to handling that matter.”
McVay said he doesn’t “anticipate any issues” with regards to how players will handle their potential protests. He plans to address the team about it again before their first playoff game against the Ravens on Aug. 9, but it sounds like everyone is on the same page.
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Up to this point, no player has expressed any concerns about how the Rams will approach this delicate situation.
“No, they’ve been great. Has been good communication,” McVay said. “That’s what you appreciate about these guys and I think as we get closer to that Baltimore date if anything comes up, then whichever player that is, if that’s the case, we’ll have a great conversation and then we’ll decide what’s the best way to handle it out of respect for everybody involved.”
For a 32-year-old coach entering his second season leading a team, he’s done a great job taking everything in stride – from uniting the locker room and his players, to overcoming Aaron Donald’s absence the past two training camps.
