Louisiana Governor Urges Policy Change for Missing National Anthem

Aside from the devastating loss the LSU Lady Tigers took from the Iowa Hawkeyes, they were also in the limelight for another reason.

During the pregame of the Elite 8 matchup between LSU and Iowa, the Lady Tigers were nowhere to be found during the National Anthem.

LSU players left the court before the national anthem was played.

Iowa players stayed and held hands. pic.twitter.com/ERla82Ar0e

— OutKick (@Outkick) April 1, 2024

This matchup was highly anticipated as it was a rematch from the 2023 National Championships, and millions of Americans tuned in to watch the rematch.

Many people have voiced their frustrations on X, leading to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to urge for a policy change.

"It's a matter of respect;" Following LSU's apparently unintentional absence during the national anthem last night, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said student-athletes should risk losing their scholarships for such actions. https://t.co/OGEZuVMDnY pic.twitter.com/Tv4HITNHYt

— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) April 2, 2024

Landry urges state officials to create a policy requiring student-athletes to be present for the national anthem.

Fox News provides more on Landry’s comments:

“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 [Kim] Mulkey,” Landry wrote in a post on X.

“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.”

Kim Mulkey, the iconic coach for the LSU Lady Tigers, tried to defend the team’s absence from the National Anthem.

Watch Mulkey’s defense of her team missing the national anthem here:

LSU Coach Kim Mulkey said her team didn't "intentionally" leave the floor prior to the playing of the National Anthem

Framed like it was a one-time mistake
Chessa Bouche: "LSU is never on the court for the National Anthem"
Who is lying? @ChessaBouche pic.twitter.com/lb29krWYY8

— Brendan (@BrendanMcInnis) April 2, 2024

Many people have taken to X to support Governor Landry’s idea for policy change:

🔥Louisiana Governor calls for athletes to be STRIPPED of scholarships if they avoid the national anthem after LSU @LSUwbkb controversy:

'A matter of respect'

Excellent idea 💡 @LouisianaGov #LSU pic.twitter.com/yTVs61BIUc

— 🇺🇲Salty Texan (@texan_maga) April 3, 2024

Excellent..if the thug's are playing on our dimes they can learn some respect for the country they live in..

— Crown Royal (@CrownRoyal61161) April 2, 2024

Unfortunately, this is a normal occurrence for many sports teams, with USC and UConn also missing the National Anthem.

It is time the athletes place more of an emphasis on respecting the nation they are competing in!