evidence: Claim that NFL coaches voted to ban kneeling during anthem is satire | Fact check The claim: NFL coaches unanimously voted to ban kneeling during the national anthem [...] Player conduct during the pregame ceremony has been a frequent source of satire and outright misinformation. USA TODAY previously debunked claims that Tomlin cut two players for kneeling, that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce defied coach Andy Reid's order to kneel and that University of Colorado coach Deion Sanders benched two players for kneeling during the anthem.