Officials protesting anthem–SCHSL speaks

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

Recently worked a game with a partner who asked what I would do if he knelt during the Anthem.

What would you do?

Most you could do is address it with your assignor.

I would, as posted above, do my job. I would stand there with my hand over my heart like I've always done. I'm retired military. My dad and step-mom are retired military. My first wife is retired military. I'm paying my respect to the country that I love despite its many maladies and imperfections. What someone else does during the national anthem does not affect how feel and how I conduct myself.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Most you could do is address it with your assignor.

I would, as posted above, do my job. I would stand there with my hand over my heart like I've always done. I'm retired military. My dad and step-mom are retired military. My first wife is retired military. I'm paying my respect to the country that I love despite its many maladies and imperfections. What someone else does during the national anthem does not affect how feel and how I conduct myself.

Exactly as I would do. And I would still have a beer with my partner after the game.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Most you could do is address it with your assignor.

I would, as posted above, do my job. I would stand there with my hand over my heart like I've always done. I'm retired military. My dad and step-mom are retired military. My first wife is retired military. I'm paying my respect to the country that I love despite its many maladies and imperfections. What someone else does during the national anthem does not affect how feel and how I conduct myself.

Even though I am not a retired military, but my father was and is buried in a veteran cemetery. I have for some time now put my hand over my heart as an official for that reason. It really has nothing to do with what I do as a personal citizen when hearing the same anthem. But that is what I would do. I do not think this is worth the fight, even if I might agree with the overall protest on some level. My job is to officiate the game, not make any major statements. I can express my opinion in other ways.

Peace

[RefBob]

There is a time and place for everything. In my opinion, using your very visible presence in stripes on the court to make your own (adult) personal political statement before a kids sporting event is the wrong time and place. The game is about the kids and not you. If the kids want to express themselves by taking a knee during the anthem, fine - the game is their event and forum. The game is not about me and my personal political views. I am only there to help the kids have a better game experience.