Bears chairman encourages standing for anthem despite appreciation for activism

Chicago Bears chairman George H. McCaskey spoke on behalf of the team Thursday when asked about his personal beliefs on the league's new national anthem policy.

"We think players should stand. We encourage our players to stand," McCaskey said, according to Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com.

The policy will allow players to remain in the locker room for the playing of the anthem, but teams can face league fines should any player or personnel take a knee on the field.

McCaskey also acknowledged that the first players to take a knee during the anthem did so to protest police misconduct and social inequality.

"We are proud of our players for their social activism and the effort to make the greatest city in the world better," said McCaskey, according to the team.

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