Yesterday it was announced that the NFL was adopting a new policy regarding the National Anthem that all players must stand, or they could be subject to a fine, or a penalty. Golden State Warriors coach, Steve Kerr, has since reacted.
Steve Kerr on the NFL's new anthem rule: "Typical of the NFL. Appealing to their fanbase. Basically just trying to use the anthem as fake patriotism, nationalism. Idiotic."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 24, 2018
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was asked about the new rule, and he did not hold back on his comments. The full comments via Anthony Slater of The Athletic:
“It's just typical of the NFL, they are just playing to their fanbase. Basically just using the anthem as fake patriotism, nationalism, scaring people, it's idiotic. But that's how the NFL has conducted their business. I'm proud to be in a league that understands patriotism in America is about free speech and peacefully protesting. Our leadership in the NBA understands when the NFL players were kneeling, they were kneeling to protest police brutality, to protest racial inequality. They weren't disrespecting the flag or the military. But our president decided to make it about that and the NFL followed suit, pandered to their fanbase, created the hysteria. It's kind of what's wrong with the country right now, people in high places are trying to divide us, divide loyalties, make this about the flag, as if the flag is something other than what it really is- which is a representation of what we're about, which is diversity, peaceful protests, right to free speech, it's ironic actually.”
Steve Kerr has never been afraid to speak his mind about big social issues, so it's really not a surprise that he gave such a long thoughtful answer on the new rules that the NFL implemented
The NBA hasn't had much in terms of anthems protests but instead, most players agree that they would like their actions to speak over a protest.
In September of 2016 when the protests started to pop up, the NBA did send out a memo reminding teams that all players and personal where to stand during the anthem.
When that was announced there wasn't the public backlash that the NFL received though, so there hasn't been pressure on the league to change their stance on the policy.
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