LSU’s athletics department has drawn attention to whether its program should be performed on the field or floor during the national anthem.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry institutes a policy requiring student-athletes to attend the national anthem after the LSU women’s basketball team received heavy backlash for skipping the “Star-Spangled Banner” before its game against Iowa. requested state authorities to do so.
Landry later doubled down on his remarks in an interview with American Report.
LSU football coach Brian Kelly responded to Landry’s comments on Saturday.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly before playing against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 4, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“I saw it. I know everyone has comments on it. I know we made a statement and (LSU athletic director) Scott Woodward also We issued a statement as well,” Kelly said via the Advertiser. “Our football players will go along with this, which means that if we have to go out at any time, we will go wherever we are told to go. And that is the main thing. The regime wants us to go. If we do, we will.” If we go out for the national anthem, we will stand proudly for the national anthem.
“That’s the script. And I’ve been doing this for 33 years. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve missed the national anthem in those 33 years. That’s why. We disagree with what the governor is saying.
Former LSU star Kim Mulkey talks game plan after great performance from Kaitlyn Clark
“We understand where the governor is coming from. We will reconsider the policy, but I stand by Scott’s statement. I look back at the Army game and have Army in our stadium. “I remember how proud I was in that moment.” “What we did to that stadium to show our patriotism and patriotic support. Hopefully, we get over this situation soon.” You can do that.”
LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly during the ReliaQuest Bowl game against the Wisconsin Badgers on January 1, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey said her team’s failure to participate in the national anthem was unintentional.
But Landry said the team’s omission of the national anthem highlights a larger problem in college sports.
“I’m not criticizing the players or Coach Mulkey. I support Coach Mulkey. That’s what my statement said. This is a bigger issue,” Landry said on Fox News Channel. I think so,” he said. “This is a huge issue for college sports nationally and in Louisiana. I just sent a letter to each college board telling them they should implement a policy to respect the national anthem.
“The national anthem is as much a part of American sports as the actual game that’s being played. And the fact that there’s no policy means, ‘Listen, these players are going to go out there and respect the flag.’ And it’s really disrespectful to respect the people who go out there and protect us. ”
Former Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry during a federal weaponization subcommittee hearing on March 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“So it’s unfortunate that LSU wasn’t there at that particular time. Iowa State was on the field. That highlighted a particular issue. And what we’re going to do is work with Louisiana State. Say, “Listen, college athletes need to understand.” To truly come together, to truly have civility and decency, we must all be under one banner. We need to come together and respect our national anthem. ”
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcast and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
