Gov. Jeff Landry (R-Louisiana) on Tuesday called on university boards to implement policies that would put student-athletes at risk of losing their scholarships if they don’t sing the national anthem.
Landry’s call came a day after the Louisiana State University (LSU) women’s basketball team lost to Iowa State in the Elite Eight, and the players did not attend the “Star-Spangled Banner” performance of the national anthem.
Iowa State players hold hands during the American national anthem. LSU players left the court before the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/GhCLHUXiBX
— Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) April 1, 2024
“My mother coached girls’ high school basketball during the height of desegregation. No one has more respect for this sport and for coaches.” [Kim] Mulkey. But beyond our respect for that game, there is a deeper respect for those who protected us and united us under one flag. ” Landry wrote in a post about X.
My mother coached girls’ high school basketball during the height of desegregation, and there is no one she respects more about the sport and Coach Mulkey. But beyond our respect for the game, there is a deeper respect for those who protect us and unite us under one flag.
it is…
— Jeff Landry (@JeffLandry) April 2, 2024
“It is time for all college boards, including the Regents, to implement a policy requiring student-athletes to attend the national anthem or risk their athletic scholarships. It’s a matter of respect that needs to be instilled,” he added.
As Breitbart News pointed out, Baton Rouge Proud sports reporter Chessa Bouche I have written “LSU never took the court for the national anthem during Monday’s game,” the post read.
Speaking to reporters after LSU’s 94-87 loss to Caitlin Clark’s Hawkeyes, Mulkey said he unintentionally missed the national anthem while the team was going through its pregame routine. .
Kim Mulkey said her team intentionally did not leave the venue before the U.S. national anthem.
“To be honest, I don’t even know when the national anthem was played. We kind of have a routine.” [for leaving the court at a certain time]. ” pic.twitter.com/JclJExC1Ym
— Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) April 2, 2024
“To be honest, I don’t even know when the national anthem was played. We have like a routine where we sit on the floor and get off the floor at the 12 minute mark. I don’t know… We go into the game and do our pregame stuff. I’m sorry…listen, that wasn’t done on purpose,” she said.
Many X users reacted to Mulkey’s postgame reporter video, arguing that her team’s “routine” should take a backseat to watching the national anthem.
