Entire Indiana Fever Roster Kneels During WNBA Playoff Game’s National Anthem

The Associated Press
The Associated Press

If an athlete kneels during the national anthem in an empty arena, does anybody see it?

The entire Indiana Fever roster refused to rise in respect for the national anthem before their home playoff game Wednesday night. Though few in Bankers Life Fieldhouse witnessed the protest live, social media enthusiasts shared images of the spectacle to prove that it actually happened.

“I’m proud of y’all for doing that together, being in that together,” Stephanie White told ESPN during her last game as Fever head coach. “It’s big. It’s bigger than basketball.”

Players for the Fever also made headlines by donning “Black Lives Matter” shirts during the regular season. The WNBA initially fined the team and its out-of-uniform members but rescinded the penalties after players lectured the league on social media.

“Appreciate our players expressing themselves on matters important to them,” WNBA President Lisa Borders explained on Twitter. “Rescinding imposed fines to show them even more support.”

Two players for the Phoenix Mercury stayed down for the song as well on Wednesday night. The Fever lost the game 89-78 after losing respect from more than a few of their few fans in attendance.

The box score says 6,282 filled seats. The pictures say otherwise.

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