Kim Mulkey Under Fire for Leading LSU Team Off the Court Before National Anthem in Tournament Game Against Iowa
LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey was forced to address a wave of backlash her team faced for leaving the court during the national anthem before Monday’s game against Iowa.
Before the Elite Eight showdown between the two teams, several accounts on Twitter posted clips of Iowa’s team standing on the court for the anthem. LSU, on the other hand, was not present and apparently headed back into the locker room before it.
Many were quick to label the team “woke” under the assumption that the Tigers were making some kind of political statement. Some even called them terrorists and claimed the players hated America.
LSU Women’s Basketball Team skipped the National Anthem
Iowa stood proud
LSU just got their ass beat
With the entire stadium cheering against them
Season over
Let this be a lesson to all players: the cringy, selfish woke athlete moment is OVER
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 2, 2024
I don’t want to hear anybody out. This is flat out embarrassing.
Some of these women have made almost a million bucks before age 22… where else can you do that in the world at a university?
You’re protesting what exactly? Being a one per-center? Yikes https://t.co/waYLMTrpxE
— Zach Von Rosenberg (@ZVR09) April 2, 2024
LSU announced it has every intention on continuing to be a terror org hellbent on overthrow the American republic. This college should be investigated for treason. Arrests should be made, not of the girls, of the leaders, starting with the coach. https://t.co/VTWbnuEJlM
— Mindful Intelligence (@fiaresearch) April 2, 2024
Glad Iowa stomped those Pathetic America hating LSU woman’s bball b*tches! https://t.co/kcDRYEn3a6
— BruceAlrighty47 (@BruceAlrighty47) April 2, 2024
I had no clue athletes were still protesting the anthem..You know, they could all just go play in North Korea. https://t.co/QaDqHIYzCI
— KeenonOmar (@thenatureboi_) April 2, 2024
The reality of the situation was actually much less controversial. Reporter Chessa Bouche — who’s covered the team for three years — noted that the Tigers are never on the court during the anthem. In fact, the football team also goes to the locker room during its season.
Neither @LSUwbkb or @LSUfootball are out for the national anthem. That’s the point. This wasn’t a one time incident. Clarifying for the national media who doesn’t cover either team day in & dat out. That’s is all! ✌🏼 https://t.co/gcqeik4Jci
— Chessa Bouche (@chessabouche) April 2, 2024
After the 94-87 loss to Iowa, a visibly confused Mulkey explained that it’s simply part of her team’s routine to leave the floor at a specific time. They just happened to miss the anthem.
“Honestly, I don’t even know when the anthem was played,” she said. “We kinda have a routine where we are on the floor and then they come off at the 12-minute mark. I don’t know, we come in and we do our pre-game stuff. I’m sorry. Listen, that’s nothing intentionally done.”
Kim Mulkey said her team didn’t intentionally leave the floor prior to the playing of the United States National Anthem.
“Honestly, I don’t even know when the anthem was played. We kind of have a routine [for leaving the court at a certain time].” pic.twitter.com/JclJExC1Ym
— Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) April 2, 2024
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