Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry urged state officials this week to create a new policy that requires student-athletes to be present for the national anthem at sporting events after Louisiana State University’s (LSU) women’s basketball team missed the national anthem during its regional final game this week.
LSU faced intense criticism for not being on the court when the national anthem was played shortly before their game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa won 94-87.
“Honestly, I don’t even know when the anthem was played,” said LSU coach Kim Mulkey. “We kind of (have) a routine where we’re on the floor and then they come off at the 12-minute mark. I don’t know … we come in and we do our pregame stuff. I’m sorry … Listen, that’s nothing intentionally done.”
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
The Republican governor responded to the backlash that the team faced by saying that officials need to enact a policy requiring athletes to show up for face serious consequences.
“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,” he said. “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.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
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
Mulkey has recently been in the news after The Washington Post ran a hit piece on her that accused her of exploding at officials, treating reporters poorly, holding grudges, and clashing with players.
She reportedly has had an intense feud with Brittney Griner and the report claimed that she was harsh toward gay players — an accusation that she and her legal team have strongly pushed back against, including providing an affidavit that undercut one of the claims made against her.