Anthem singer at Heat-76ers kneels during performance
As they have all preseason, players and coaches for the Miami Heat locked arms during the national anthem on Friday. Some bowed their heads. Its the way the team has agreed to pay respect to the flag while also standing up against social injustice and police brutality against minorities.
The only difference this time was that the young woman who performed the Star-Spangled Banner, identified by the Heat as Denasia Lawrence, did so while kneeling at midcourt and opening her jacket to display a shirt that read Black Lives Matter.
The NBA has supported its players in speaking out against racial injustice, but has also asked its players and coaches to stand during the anthem to pay respect to the flag.
It would be my hope that they would continue to stand for the national anthem. I think that is the appropriate thing to do, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier Friday during a news conference in New York.
The Heat said in a statement it was unaware ahead of time, Lawrence would kneel during the anthem.
Guard Wayne Ellington said he didnt notice Lawrence was kneeling at first because he had his eyes closed, which he normally does.
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