On Tuesday, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana called for a rule that would require college athletes to be present for the playing of the national anthem before games.
Landry, who is serving his first term as governor, issued a lengthy statement about the matter a day after his state’s flagship school missed the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before being knocked out of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
The LSU Tigers were notably absent for the playing of the anthem in the team’s Elite Eight matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes — a team the Bayou Bengals defeated for the national championship last year.
In a statement he posted on his X page, Landry decried skipping the anthem as disrespectful.
“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,” Landry began.
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He added, “However, above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag!”
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…
— Jeff Landry (@JeffLandry) April 2, 2024
The governor then called on school administrators and others to enforce a rule that would require athletes to respect their country before sporting events.
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He also floated the idea of having students lose their scholarships for noncompliance.
“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!” Landry stated. “This is a matter of respect that all collegiate coaches should instill.”
Video of LSU’s skipping of the anthem spread like wildfire on social media before and after tipoff Monday night.
A clip that was viewed almost eight million times showed the ladies of Iowa each present for the playing of the anthem.
Iowa players holding hands during the American National Anthem. LSU players left the court before the anthem was performed. pic.twitter.com/GhCLHUXiBX
— Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) April 1, 2024
LSU was absent, and coach Kim Mulkey later explained the team did not intentionally skip the pre-game show of respect.
“Honestly I don’t even know when the anthem was played,” said Mulkey, who said her team was doing a routine pregame warmup while the anthem was played.
“We kinda have a routine where we are on the floor, and then they come off at the 12-minute mark. We just come in, and we do our pre-game stuff,” Mulkey concluded.
Kim Mulkey said her team didn’t intentionally leave the floor prior to the playing of the United States National Anthem.
“Honestly, I don’t even know when the 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
LSU ended up losing to Iowa 94-87 Monday and is headed back to Baton Rouge while Iowa and UConn will clash later this week for one of two Final Four matchups.
The Tigers had been a heavy favorite to repeat as national champions.
