![]() ![]() ![]() “Whether it’s holding an arm up in the air, whether it’s taking a knee, whatever it is, I don’t think this is an issue of respect or disrespect to the flag or to the anthem or to our country. In an interview with ESPN’s Outside the Lines in June, Cuban said he hoped the league “would allow players to do what is in their heart” when it comes to the playing of the anthem. Wednesday marked the first time this season where the Mavericks have played the National Anthem before a game. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videos That’s why he ran for president in the first place and that’s what he’s focused on doing every day.” “And it means respecting the right of people, granted to them in the Constitution, to peacefully protest. “He’d also say that, of course, that part of the pride of our country means recognizing moments where we as a country haven’t lived up to our highest ideals, which is often and at times what people are speaking to when they take action at sporting events,” Psaki continued. He has great respect for the anthem and all that it represents, especially for our men and women serving in uniform all around the world,” she added. Psaki noted that she hadn’t spoken to President Joe Biden about the decision to cease playing the anthem at their games, “but I know that he’s incredibly proud to be an American. Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesĬuban’s decision reverberated around America, including a question put to White House press secretary Jen Psaki during her daily briefing on Wednesday. Mavericks owner Cuban reacts to players during an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns. However, during the NBA restart in the Orlando bubble last summer, Commissioner Adam Silver declined to enforce the rule as players began kneeling for the anthem due to social justice concerns. League policy states that “players, coaches and trainers must stand and line up in a dignified posture along the foul lines during the playing of the American and/or Canadian national anthems.” The Mavericks eventually defeated the Hawks, 118-117.įollowing the news of Cuban’s request not to play the national anthem, the NBA said: “With NBA teams now in the process of welcoming fans back into their arenas, all teams will play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy.” However as the Mavericks welcomed back fans – 1,500 vaccinated essential workers, including first responders, medical personnel, transportation workers among others were in attendance – and following a statement from the NBA, the team chose to play the anthem ahead of Wednesday’s clash with the Atlanta Hawks. The Mavericks and the Atlanta Hawks stand for the National Anthem prior to tipoff of their NBA game.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |