GREENVILLE, N.C. — Following in the footsteps of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other athletes around the country, East Carolina band members kneeled during the national anthem Saturday ahead of the team's tilt with Central Florida.
The band was also booed during halftime.
The ECU Band was boo'ed loudly during halftime of today's game. pic.twitter.com/iA2T21XDwd
— Pirate Radio (@pirateradio1250) October 1, 2016
Reactions were varied after the stance:
.@ecuchancellor11 releases a statement on the ECU band's anthem protest. pic.twitter.com/yYa6NtQ3Xg
— Josh Graham (@_JoshDGraham) October 1, 2016
At ECU football game. Idiot band members kneel for Anthem. Fans boo them off the field. #merica
— Mike Enright (@Menright24) October 1, 2016
Really ashamed of the ECU band members that refused to stand and play the national anthem.
— Wyatt Stroud (@Airborne_54) October 1, 2016
As an alumna of ECU @ECUBand Im proud of yall!!! All these pirates booing their own band should be ashamed of yourselves
— Ken❤️☀️ (@ilovekenyas) October 1, 2016
These are your rights. Never let anyone tell you any different. It's what we fight for. Proud of you all #ecuband
— C.U.E.U.P.U (@K3SI) October 1, 2016
Wish I could kneel with the #ecuband . I give everyone who participated props for not backing down and doing what they believe in.
— Yung Dionysus (@AlexaPantazonis) October 1, 2016
Respect. ✊🏽 @ECUBand pic.twitter.com/2xv5RQ6vOG
— Naaaay (@TheyCallMeNay) October 1, 2016
Just feet frm the American flag, members of the @ECUBand kneel. Their right to do so. @ECUAthletics #ecuvsucf ☠️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/9PAypkliib
— Michael Aho (@ahomichael) October 1, 2016
Kaepernick has refused to stand for the national anthem in protest of racial inequality, prompting other athletes to follow suit.
(H/T 247sports)
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