LSU Football: Brian Kelly Responds Amidst Governors Controversial National Anthem Stance

Brian Kelly and LSU Football have clarified that they support Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s stance on all sports teams being present on the court or field during “The Star-Spangled Banner” National Anthem.

Last week, during the Women’s College Basketball Elite Eight featuring LSU and Iowa, which was at the time the most tv viewed women’s college sporting event of all time (Iowa vs. UConn since broke that record) there was a moment before where the Iowa players were seen on the court holding hands during the anthem while LSU was nowhere to be seen.

The comparison between the two teams quickly got social media going, with critics on both sides of the controversy taking a very strong side and either supporting or bashing the LSU team for not being out on the court for the anthem.

Many Teams Aren’t On The Court For National Anthem

It’s not very common for teams to be on the court for the national anthem. Most of the time, the national anthem is performed before players are introduced on the court or field, and nobody really thinks anything of it. Additionally, the anthem is normally only televised for really big events, such as championship games, or on significant days, such as 9/11 or July 4th.

So why was this a big deal?

First, ever since Collin Kaepernick decided to kneel during the anthem back in 2016 (yes eight years ago), the decision and conduct of how teams and athletes during the anthem has been in the spotlight. Additionally, last week, an article was released by the Washington Post that went after LSU head coach Kim Mulkey, putting her in the spotlight as well. Finally, in the National Championship game last year, LSU forward Angel Reese mocked and taunted Caitlin Clark, which many saw as bad sportsmanship. All three of these things made it easy for fans to go after the LSU Tigers.

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

Lousiana Governor Urges State to Enact New Policy

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry quickly addressed the issue and controversy following the backlash. He issued the following statement.

“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 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.”

LSU’s Brian Kelly Responds to the Situation

Brian Kelly responded quickly to the governor’s wishes and seemed to support his desires. He shared the following regarding what he would have LSU do.

“I saw it. I know everybody has had their comments about it…I think our football players would echo this — is that if, at any time, we’re required to be out there, we’ll be wherever we’re told to be. And that’s the bottom line. If our administration wants us out there for the national anthem, we’re going to stand proudly for the anthem.

…I’ve been doing this for 33 years. On my hand, I can tell you how many times I’ve been out for the anthem in 33 years. That’s not to say we’re against what the governor is saying.

… I look back at the Army game and how proud we were of that moment to have Army in our stadium. What we did to that stadium to show our patriotism and patriotic backing. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get past this pretty soon.”