<P> It is a tradition in the United States to play The Star - Spangled Banner , the national anthem , before sporting events . Those present are expected to stand at attention with right hand over heart . National Football League ( NFL ) players were not mandated to be on the field for the playing of the national anthem until 2009 . It is also noteworthy this tradition did not acquire prominence as an official act until the twenty - first century . The NFL has stated that `` players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem '' ; its game operations manual reads that players `` should stand '' for the anthem . </P>
<P> It is a tradition in the United States to play The Star - Spangled Banner , the national anthem , before sporting events . Those present are expected to stand at attention with right hand over heart . National Football League ( NFL ) players were not mandated to be on the field for the playing of the national anthem until 2009 . It is also noteworthy this tradition did not acquire prominence as an official act until the twenty - first century . The NFL has stated that `` players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem '' ; its game operations manual reads that players `` should stand '' for the anthem . </P>
when did nfl start standing for the anthem
when did nfl start standing for the anthem
2009
2009