The 2023 championship rematch between Iowa and LSU in this year’s Elite Eight was a scintillating production that stockpiled praise from celebrities, athletes and fans alike, while shattering the record for the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever.
But Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry was unimpressed before a basketball even bounced Monday after LSU was not present for the national anthem, calling for a policy to be put in place that risks a student-athlete’s scholarship if the player is absent during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“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,” Gov. Landry wrote on X on Tuesday. “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.”
LSU coach Kim Mulkey said postgame that she was unaware of what time the anthem played and that her team’s routine is to head from the court into the locker room at the 12-minute mark. Iowa was present for the anthem and lined up along its foul line with all players holding hands.
“I’m sorry, listen, that’s nothing intentionally done,” Mulkey said postgame.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
Do you believe a team's absence during the national anthem represents a lack of respect for the country, or can it be seen in a different light?
@9LB9MGY2mos2MO
I think it is disrespectful to not stand for the national anthem.
@9LB83H42mos2MO
I think that, with the numerous different religions in society, it is hard to blame athletes for missing the national anthem because the modo is "In God we trust" and if the player doesn't believe in a God or in that specific God, that could be their reason for not participating.
@9LB7CKK2mos2MO
Teams who won't be present during the anthem shows their lack of respect for the country and those who have fought for it.
@9L9ZHMP2mos2MO
there's always a deeper meaning that many won't know and don't have to know.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
Is it more important to adhere to tradition and ceremony (like the national anthem) or to the freedom of personal choice and routine?
@9L9VQBYProgressive2mos2MO
Just do the tradition you were born with.
@9LB55Q9Independent2mos2MO
I personally feel that we have free will and we are free to do whatever you want but I'm a traditional person so for me in a competition and if I come in first place then I will listen to the national anthem and pledge allegiance to the flag.
@9LB4RGL2mos2MO
I think that it should stay the same tradition
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
How does the differing treatment of men's and women's sports teams' actions during the national anthem highlight or challenge societal expectations?
@9LB6WRC2mos2MO
Stand for the pledge unless u are disabled
@9LB25NJ2mos2MO
Not standing for the national anthem should be allowed as a sign of protest. It's their choice and freedom to no stand for the anthem. To deny that right is to disregard the constitution.
@9LB58NS2mos2MO
America is built by everyone, both man and woman so why women get treated so unfairly in the sports world will always be confusing. Always, its men who don't have athletic ability and actually have a lot of anxiety.
@9LB4RJ72mos2MO
We struggle with sexual inequality as of right now and talking more about it and putting more equality would help progress more into having fair equality.
@Cordial2008Libertarian2mos2MO
Why? Why is the national anthem even being played before games? Both teams are from the US. This isn’t international competition. What is the point of the national anthem?
@9CJ6CB62mos2MO
Bolstering nationalism, same as every aspect of the nation, assuming that we must have these things is part of the plan to keep the nation’s inward integrity secure in the face of trials.
@OriginalD3legateGreen2mos2MO
Exactly. Forced patriotism isn't patriotism
There’s no reason to play the national anthem before sporting events.
@BustardChrisRepublican2mos2MO
College boards need 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.
This is some North Korea crap. You’re literally suggesting people be forced to be present for a pre-game anthem, which, if we’re being honest, has always been an odd practice. Outside of national competitions or major events, most countries don’t do this.
@S0v3reignHeronSocialist2mos2MO
I went to a Trevor Noah show, he talked about the US’s obsession with it. No other country plays it unless they’re playing a different nation. The people that obsess over it rarely served anyway
Didn’t we resolve this issue a lifetime ago with the Pledge of Allegiance?
@S0v3reignHeronSocialist2mos2MO
Revived with these political culture wars bs.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
@9L9WKK6 2mos2MO
Protesting anything for any reason for any cause is a right of the people and should be protected at all costs provided it is done so civilly.
@WorriedC1vilRightsDemocrat2mos2MO
Come on, their Coach said their routine is to go in at 12 minutes before the game and didn’t know about the National Anthem. Give them a break everyone, get the story first.
they’re not protesting anything. Just like in football - they’re in the locker room
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