New York Jets: CEO does right by players

New York Jets players won’t be punished by the team if they choose to demonstrate during the national anther, and CEO Christopher Johnson is correct in that decision.

Last season, the New York Jets chose to come out during the national anthem linked together arm-in-arm rather than have individuals kneel. Team CEO Christopher Johnson has come out — after the league announced its new policy on standing during the anthem (which we will get to) — and said that not only will the team not levy discipline on any player, but he will pay any league related fines.

That’s likely a stark contrast in what his brother might do, and worthy of applause.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and several others, the league has instituted a policy that all league personnel on the field must stand for the anthem. They do not have to be on the field for the anthem, but if they choose to be on the field, they must stand.

Under the new policy, the league will fine clubs for personnel not standing, and the Clubs also have the choice to impose their own punishment. However, Johnson has said this:

"“If somebody [on the Jets] takes a knee, that fine will be borne by the organization, by me, not the players. I never want to put restrictions on the speech of our players. Do I prefer that they stand? Of course. But I understand if they felt the need to protest. There are some big, complicated issues that we’re all struggling with, and our players are on the front lines. I don’t want to come down on them like a ton of bricks, and I won’t. There will be no club fines or suspensions or any sort of repercussions. If the team gets fined, that’s just something I’ll have to bear.”"

This is the perfect response to the new policy. The Jets are trying to establish a new culture, and having the same things in place as before — a buffoonish man in charge who doesn’t understand his players — is not moving forward.

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Sometimes being in charge isn’t about taking the “my way or the highway” approach. A leader needs to be open to change, and Christopher Johnson seems to be that guy. He’s willing to open his mind and ears to everyone in the organization and listen. That doesn’t mean caving in every time, it just means listening.

In the end, that’s what a good leader does. He or she listens.