Heard a sensible adjustment from Michael Wilbalm:
Retain current requirement that ALL players are EXPECTED to be on the field and show appropriate respect to the National anthem, as it is played.
Players have the option of staying in the locker room while the anthem is played, to avoid any personal difference.
Any player who is on the field during the playing of the National anthem, and chooses to act disrespectfully, will automatically be disqualified from participating in that game.
Teams will retain the right to sanction players for being disqualified and failing to participate in that game, to whatever extent that particular team deems appropriate.
Seems to make sense, as the decision to behave disrespectfully is made unilaterally by the individual player, the consequence resulting from that decision causing damage to the Team, is made by the team, and the spectators, paying for the privileged of observing a contest are not burdened by being forced to observe excessive drama, unrelated to the game they have paid to watch.
Players retain all their previous options to register their grievances with whatever social policies or practices they perceive in whatever public/private venues available, outside their performance expected by their employer.
This would add a consequence to deciding to behave in a manner, costing the loss of service, to the team, of the deciding player. The sanction (fine, suspension, etc.) would be an individual Team decision, based on the specific Team's perception of loss of service damage incurred.
The US Constitution (Amendment 1) prohibits, "abridging the freedom of speech", it does not address, insure or guarantee the absence of consequences resulting from such behavior and decisions.
Since our earliest days, sporting contests have been intended to determine superiority of the contestants based solely on individual talents and abilities that are tested by the specific event. They have always been intended to avoid external attributes unrelated to the direct nature of the contested sporting event, such as Politics, Religious preference, cultural differences or other factors not having a direct reference to the specific sport being contested.