Last week, the NFL commissioner's office signaled that a change in policy was on the way that would make standing for the National Anthem mandatory rather than voluntary. But the players and their allies in the media pushed back – hard.  Rather than see a huge blowup by players defying a mandatory standing policy, the commissioner, Roger Goodell, has apparently caved in and will make only cosmetic changes to the policy. Reuters: Commissioner Roger Goodell, along with the head of the NFL Players Association, will meet with the owners from Oct. 17-18 in New York where the issue of player protests during the U.S. national anthem is expected to command much attention. "(Goodell) has a plan that he is going to present to owners about how to use our platform to both raise awareness and make progress on issues of social justice and equality in this country," NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said on a conference call. "What we don't have is a...(Read Full Post)