What’s The Fuss Going Around LSU & The National Anthem?

The Republican governor of Louisiana has proposed revoking college players’ scholarships if they fail to show up for the playing of the national anthem before to a game. His statement was made in response to the LSU women’s basketball team’s absence from Monday night’s pre-game festivities before their highly anticipated NCAA Tournament matchup with Iowa.

What’s The Fuss Going Around LSU & The National Anthem?

Jeff Landry, the Trump-backed former state attorney general whose victory in the October gubernatorial primary signaled a hard-right turn in Louisiana politics, attacked the Tigers and head coach Kim Mulkey on social media on Tuesday for not being on the court when the Star-Spangled Banner was played.

In addition to coping with the aftermath of their season-ending defeat to Iowa and Caitlin Clark on Monday, the Tigers are also attempting to dispel rumors regarding their absence from the national anthem’s performance before to tip-off.

While the program waits to hear from Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith on their futures in Baton Rouge, the anthem is undoubtedly not LSU’s biggest worry. Nevertheless, it was sufficient for Kim Mulkey to address worries on Tuesday, and as a result of the incident, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R) called for a significant shift in policy.

Landry’s full tweet:

“My mother coached women’s high school basketball during the height of desegregation, no one has a greater respect for the sport and for Coach Mulkey. However, above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag !

“It is time that all college boards, including Regent, put a policy in place that student athletes be present for the national anthem or risk their athletic scholarship! This is a matter of respect that all collegiate coaches should instill.”

The coach of the defending champions told reporters that the team was following its usual pregame routine:

“Honestly, I don’t even know when the anthem was played. We kind of have a routine when they’re on the floor and they come off at the 12-minute mark. I don’t know, we come in and we do our pregame stuff. I’m sorry, listen, that’s nothing intentionally done.”

Mulkey clarified that her players leave the floor 12 minutes before to tip-off as part of LSU’s customary pregame ritual. Pregame rituals during the NCAA Tournament may take place at a different time than they do before an ordinary LSU home game during the regular season, even if the Tigers’ routine remains the same.

Although Mulkey hasn’t openly participated in previous anthem controversies, she has made her position known on a number of contentious subjects, many of which portray her as someone who doesn’t fit the mold of a coach who would object to the playing of the national anthem.

Every team in the NBA and many other professional sports leagues is expected to be on the floor and lined up during the playing of the national anthem. In collegiate athletics, where protocols are less explicit, it’s less consistent; the occurrence on Monday night is one example.

The Illuminator revealed that unidentified Louisiana lawmakers had threatened to withhold funds from LSU for athletes who, like Kaepernick, took a knee during the playing of the national anthem. This is not the first time the anthem has turned into political theater at LSU. The squad remains in the locker room for the anthem, LSU president F. King Alexander said.

FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE- 

Get To Know Chiefs Owner Clark Hunt’s Net Worth