The Baltimore Ravens official National Anthem performer is resigning from his position amidst this season’s protests and the fan reactions to them.
Joey Odoms says he is fed up with how fans are acting while players peacefully taking a knee while he performs. He says the reactions make him feel “not welcome.”
New York Daily News reports that Odoms made the announcement on his personal Facebook page.
The tone/actions of a large number of NFL fans in the midst of our country’s cultural crisis, have convinced me that I do not belong there. Someone once told me to always ‘go where you’re welcomed,’
I support the protest personally – I fought for that right, but I don’t like people using people like me to attack those people who are exercising their right.
Odoms, who had been performing with the team since 2014 called the opportunity a “dream job.”
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to grow as a performer and for allowingme to live out a dream of sharing my gift with you.”