Ben McLemore: ‘You Should Always Represent Our Nation’
Aug 27, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:33 am
(Photo Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore has expressed that he is not a fan of NFL players kneeling for the national anthem.
McLemore told TMZ Sports:
“You should always represent our nation […] That’s how I feel.”
McLemore went on to say NBA players have found a better way to make a difference in the community than NFL players who kneel for the anthem.
“In their case, it’s getting lost, but for our sport in the NBA, I think it’s not […] We show appreciation to the nation.”
After the TMZ story, McLemore took to Twitter to clarify his stance:
— Ben McLemore (@BenMcLemore) August 26, 2018
Numerous NFL players have kneeled for the national anthem since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the practice in 2016 as a form of protest against police brutality and discrimination against minorities.
The NFL enacted a new policy for the 2018 season that does not require players to be on the field for the anthem. However, if a player demonstrates while on the field, his team can be fined.
ESPN will not air the national anthem as part of its 2018 Monday Night Football coverage. CBS will also not air the anthem for its NFL coverage this season.
The NBA requires all players stand for the national anthem. Commissioner Adam Silver sent teams a memo before the 2017-18 season reminding them of the league’s policy.
No NBA players knelt during the anthem last season, but a number of players have condemned Trump.
