In a development that shook the entire National Football League (NFL), three veteran coaches, Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers), Mike McCarthy (Dallas Cowboys), and John Elway (Denver Broncos legend) were fined a total of $30 million by the NFL — $10 million each — after they knelt during the flag-raising and national anthem ceremonies at the opening games of the 2025 season.

The unprecedented action by coaches—who are often seen as neutral icons—immediately sparked a fierce debate on both the sports and political fronts. A core question arose: Is there still room for free expression in American professional sports?

Before the first game of the season, at three major stadiums – Heinz Field, AT&T Stadium, and Empower Field – spectators and television cameras caught a rare sight: three head coaches – not players – knelt during the playing of the American national anthem.

No banners. No grand speeches. Just a quiet but symbolic kneeling. And soon, they issued a joint statement:

“We are not protesting the flag or the military. We kneel for justice, for equality, and for the millions of Americans who still do not feel they fully belong in this country.”

The event immediately became a hot topic on television shows, social media and the sports press. This was the first time that so many coaches expressed their political views publicly during a national ceremony.

Not long after, the NFL officially announced that it would fine the three coaches $10 million each , citing the following reasons:

“The behavior violates the tournament’s ethics and image, causes commercial losses and divides fans.”

In addition, the NFL said the coaches’ behavior violated a personal agreement to maintain neutrality during the national anthem ceremony , which was signed into senior personnel terms from 2023 after a series of controversies related to protests in sports.

This decision not only caused the related teams to fall into a media crisis, but also triggered a national public opinion storm , when people began to question: Is the NFL protecting the image of sports, or censoring personal freedom?

Immediately after receiving the punishment, all three coaches held a joint press conference – a rare move between people who have been rivals for many years on the field. During the press conference, Mike Tomlin said:

“I am not just a coach – I am a black man, an American citizen, and a father. If that kneeling makes one child feel heard, then I am willing to pay any price.”

Mike McCarthy, usually known for his calm demeanor, also said:

“I don’t do this to divide anyone. I do it because the truth should not be avoided – not even in sports.”

John Elway – the legendary Super Bowl champion as both a player and manager – shared calmly:

“I used to believe that silence was the best policy. But times have changed. Today, I choose to stand with those who have no voice.”

On social networks, a wave of debate broke out everywhere:

The hashtags #ISupportTheCoaches and #LetThemKneel trended nationwide, with many fans saying the coaches’ actions were a symbol of courage and humanity in an environment that is often seen as insensitive.

One account wrote:

“Tomlin isn’t just coaching players, he’s teaching America a lesson in courage.”

A veteran responded on CNN:

“I have taken up arms in defense of liberty – not to watch people punished for peacefully expressing their views.”

However, many people also criticized the coaches’ actions as “taking advantage of the playground for political propaganda”.

A former NFL executive commented:

“If coaches kneel, players will kneel. And then the audience will leave. The NFL is not a place for social campaigns.”

A Cowboys fan writes:

“I go to the stadium to see tactics, scores and wins – not to be lectured on politics.”

Professor Laura Chen , a sports law expert at Columbia University, commented:

“The NFL has the right to manage its brand. But severely punishing individuals for peacefully expressing their views could expose them to civil rights lawsuits.”

Some lawyers representing the coaches have suggested filing a complaint with the Federal Human Rights Commission , arguing that the fine is “an indirect form of censorship.”

Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell continues to take a tough stance:

“We don’t stop anyone from speaking out. But we ask that it takes place outside of the game.”

According to Bloomberg, several major NFL sponsors such as Pepsi, Verizon, and Ford have asked the NFL to “clarify its stance” on handling personal expression.

There is also a rift within the NFL, with many smaller teams and young players expressing fear of being fined or kicked off their teams if they express their social views.

Several politicians, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , criticized the NFL for “putting profit over basic civil rights.”

This event raises a series of thought-provoking questions:

Are coaches – the ones who set the morale of the team – not allowed to have opinions?

If kneeling is a more severe punishment than a rule violation, is the NFL encouraging loyalty or controlled silence?

Should sports be kept separate from politics in a society where politics has permeated every aspect of life?

The actions of Mike Tomlin, Mike McCarthy and John Elway are more than just personal choices. They are courageous statements in an environment increasingly controlled by commerce and image.

In the eyes of their supporters, they are moral heroes. In the eyes of their opponents, they are the seeds of division.

But one thing is clear: that kneeling — and the $30 million fine — will reverberate through American sports history as a landmark in the battle between social justice and institutional power.