“You are saying that if he [Kaepernick] chose to exercise his right as an American citizen you representing the United States would then turn around and punish him for the very rights this country has bestowed upon its citizens?”
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“That’s [Tortorella’s] way of doing it, and obviously they’re comparing it to the whole Colin Kaepernick thing, but he’s got a right to believe whatever he wants”, Jones said of Tortorella in an interview with Sportsnet’s Fan 590 in Toronto Wednesday.
The Team USA hockey team apparently does not receive government funding, and is therefore not bound by the First Amendment.
The fiery head coach is refusing to back down from his original comment that any players who might choose to sit during the national anthem would stay on the bench through the game.
Kaepernick set off a national controversy last month when it was revealed that he was sitting, or kneeling, during the Star-Spangled Banner at the start of 49ers football games in solidarity with Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality. “This your flag. That shouldn’t come into play for a second”.
Tortorella’s son has been an Army Ranger for four years.
The Team USA hockey coach explained to Kevin Allen at USA Today, “It is hockey, but I also think it is a huge platform for us to represent our country, especially in today’s world, with everything [that’s] going on”.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane and U.S. Women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe have also taken a knee or sat during the anthem before games in recent protests. “You’re not going to see anything from any of us with Torts, so I have no problem with that”.
There also may be a lot of players that would probably rather ignore the topic all together.
Other parents of young hockey players had mixed reactions. “That’s the unique part of this tournament, is your team is littered with really good players, or they wouldn’t be playing for their country”, Tortorella said.
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Click the play button below to hear their conversation. “So I feel strongly both ways”. “We’ll try to be as fair and objective as can”.
