US World Cup Hockey Coach Tortorella Says He’ll Bench Players Who Sit For Anthem

A longtime hockey coach has come out strongly against Colin Kaepernick‘s National Anthem protest, and is saying he’ll punish players who take the same stance.

John Tortorella, who’s coached four NHL teams over the past 17 years and is currently helming the US men’s World Cup of Hockey squad, told ESPN’s Linda Cohn that he won’t stand for any sitting during the Anthem.

If any of my players sit on the bench for the National Anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game.

Tortorella, perhaps best known for his turbulent five-year stint with the New York Rangers, has proven to be nothing if not outspoken over the years. He’s often mixed it up with reporters, opposing coaches, and even fans during his nearly two-decade long tenure as an NHL head coach.

No player on Tortorella’s World Cup roster has said that he plans to sit during the National Anthem. However, Kaepernick’s protest has begun to spread a little bit. Two other NFL players (including Kaepernick’s San Francisco 49ers teammate, Eric Reid), have also not stood for the Anthem, as has soccer player Megan Rapinoe.

[image via screengrab]

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