WNBA and NBA Players’ Attitude During National Anthem Raises Eyebrows
There’s an ongoing conversation about the behaviors of players in the WNBA and NBA when it comes to the national anthem. Jason Whitlock, a host on BlazeTV, has noticed a concerning trend. He points out that WNBA teams often leave the court before the anthem starts, a practice that he suggests has been ongoing for a while.
Whitlock notes, “This has been a bit of a tradition in the WNBA — teams not being on the court for the national anthem.” While players may offer various reasons for this, he suspects that their true feelings might not be aligned with those justifications.
“The majority of WNBA players and teams seem to prefer not being present during the anthem, a trend that started around the time of Colin Kaepernick’s protests. I think it’s a mistake,” he comments.
He also draws attention to LeBron James, who has similarly developed a habit when the anthem plays. “LeBron has a little ritual that’s gaining more notice this NBA season; for instance, during the first game at Madison Square Garden with his new team, the Philadelphia 76ers, he was spotted performing stretches and other routines during the national anthem,” Whitlock explains.
He recognizes that, as an older player, LeBron may require additional warm-up time, but he believes there’s an underlying issue at play. “What we’re witnessing from LeBron and the WNBA reflects a certain lack of gratitude,” Whitlock observes, hinting that this behavior hints at something deeper.
He elaborates, “Wisdom brings an understanding of the ritual surrounding the national anthem and a sense of gratitude. Regardless of one’s feelings about the country, there are countless reasons to be grateful.”
“We have so much to appreciate,” Whitlock adds. “Yet, in today’s secular society, many seem more focused on complaints than thanks.”
He references LeBron’s background—a challenging upbringing that led to immense personal success—and suggests that instead of expressing gratitude during the anthem, they seem to channel their frustrations. “Instead of reflecting on gratitude in those brief moments, they choose to voice discontent,” he concludes.
