Matt Nagy says Bears await word from NFL, NFLPA before determining national anthem policy

Matt Nagy said he believes the dialogue between the NFL and NFL Players Association regarding the national anthem policy is healthy, and the Bears coach will await further word from the league and association before making any determinations about how his team will handle the issue moving forward.

But Nagy also noted a policy will have to be in place by the time the Bears play the Ravens in their exhibition opener Aug. 2, the NFL’s first game of the preseason.

“The biggest thing is you want everybody to feel comfortable with whatever decision is made,” Nagy said. “Whatever that decision is made throughout the league, we as an organization want to come together and do the right thing as well.

“And (we should) talk about it. For me as a head coach, I’m all about collaboration and I know that starts at the top, above me, and we’re going to continue to do that.”

The new policy, approved by NFL owners in May, stated that players — some of whom were using protests to put a spotlight on social justice issues — should stand for the national anthem or remain in the locker room. It allowed the league to fine teams with protesting players and let teams punish their own players for protests.

Earlier this month, the NFLPA filed a grievance against the policy, and on Thursday, the association and the NFL released a joint statement in which they said that the implementation of the new policy would stop “in order to allow this constructive dialogue to continue.”

“The NFL and NFLPA reflect the great values of America, which are repeatedly demonstrated by the many players doing extraordinary work in communities across our country to promote equality, fairness and justice,” the statement said. “Our shared focus will remain on finding a solution to the anthem issue through mutual, good faith commitments, outside of litigation.”

President Donald Trump, who has been a vocal opponent of player protests, tweeted Friday that he believes players who kneel during the anthem should be ejected from the game.

“Second time kneeling, out for season/no pay!” he wrote.