Social media commenters rejected U.S. soccer’s statement denying that some members of the women’s national team turned their backs on a World War II veteran during the national anthem.
SO WHAT
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team has in recent years become a cultural lightning rod as a result of many of its biggest names taking activist stances in support of progressive causes and feuding with prominent figures on the right, such as former President Donald Trump.
The moment
On Monday, several U.S. women faced away from 98-year-old World War II veteran Pete DuPré as he played the national anthem on the harmonica before the team’s pre-Olympic send-off game against Mexico.
The explanation
Following backlash on social media from many conservatives who accused the women’s players of disrespecting DuPré, the national anthem and the flag, U.S. soccer issued a statement:
A video posted to Twitter by the U.S. Women’s National Team shows every member of the team greeting DuPré and having their ball signed by him after the game.
The reaction
But many Twitter commenters weren’t buying it, noting that members of the team have on previous occasions taken a knee during the national anthem as a form of social protest.
The kicker
Last month, U.S. track and field athlete Gwen Barry sparked controversy by turning her back during the playing of the national anthem at the U.S. Olympic trials.
