Governor threatens scholarships after LSU women miss anthem at NCAA tournament

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Governor threatens scholarships after LSU women miss anthem at NCAA tournament

• Landry hits at LSU women for absence during national anthem
• LSU head coach Kim Mulkey decried as ‘woke’ amid furore

Guardian sport
Wed 3 Apr 2024 01.04 BST
Last modified on Wed 3 Apr 2024 22.18 BST

Louisiana’s Republican governor has called for the scholarships of college athletes who are not present for the national anthem before games to be revoked. His announcement came after the LSU women’s basketball team were absent during the pre-game ceremonies on Monday night ahead of their eagerly anticipated NCAA Tournament contest with Iowa.

Jeff Landry, the former state attorney general backed by Donald Trump whose victory in October’s gubernatorial primary denoted a hard-right shift in Louisiana’s politics, took to social media on Tuesday to criticize the Tigers and their head coach, Kim Mulkey, for not being on the court when the Star-Spangled Banner was played.

“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 posted on X. “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,” he wrote.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/apr/02/kim-mulkey-woke-lousiana-governor-anthem

[spooky3]

1. This idiot should give higher priority to protecting Reese

And other players from online threats and harassment based entirely on their race and gender.

[TexasDem69]

2. How in the world would Louisiana do that?

But this is a non-story, just the MAGA crowd whipping up its idiot base.

[spooky3]

3. Are you serious? Law enforcement investigates and charges

Suspects when evidence supports that. They do it every day if they are competent.

Depending on the nature of the threat, security is provided. Ask Brett Kavanaugh, among others.

Maybe you didn’t see her post game interview:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna146023

[TexasDem69]

5. I did see it

And it’s horrible. But are you proposing that Louisiana monitor the internet, or provide protection to anyone in the state who receives a threat? Those are both nonsense. I’m trying to understand what you think the state of Louisiana could do in this instance. Hate speech largely isn’t a criminal act in the US.

[spooky3]

6. I already answered your question. You might want to

Ask yourself why you wouldn’t want law enforcement to take action regarding this player. Have a nice evening.

Threats and sexual harassment are not protected by the first amendment.

[TexasDem69]

7. Well, you didn't, you just glossed over the issues

Have a good evening as well.

[Deuxcents]

4. It's a ball game..a championship game that doesn't need to be politicized