USWNT star Megan Rapinoe gain some acclaim and criticism for following Colin Kaepernick and not kneeling during the national anthem in a recent Seattle Reign game.
The Washington Spirit were having none of that, and literally pulled a fast one Before the Spirit and Reign played on Wednesday — quickly playing the anthem ahead of schedule so Rapinoe couldn’t take a knee during it.
The Spirit released this statement:
“In light of Seattle Reign and U.S. Women’s National Team member Megan Rapinoe’s public declaration that she intended to ‘take a knee’ during the United States’ National Anthem tonight, we decided to play the anthem in our stadium ahead of schedule rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent.”
The Spirit went on to say that they “respectfully disagree with her method of hijacking” their home event to draw attention to her own personal cause.