THE CHANCELLOR FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RESPONDS TO KAEPERNICK’S PROTEST BY CALLING ON EVERYONE TO STAND DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND TO RESPECT OUR FLAG

Admiral William McRaven says it was important for the athletes to stand up straight when the National Anthem is being played, to face the flag, and to place their hand over their heart as a sign of respect to this nation

In a response to Colin Kaepernick’s ‘stand up by sitting down’ protest, University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven wrote a memo the system’s presidents and athletic directors on August 29 in which he called on everyone to stand during the national anthem and to respect the flag.

Chancellor McRaven is a retired Navy Admiral. Here are some excerpts from his memo:

“I spent 37 years defending freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Nothing is more important to this democracy. Nothing! However, while no one should be compelled to stand, they should recognize that by sitting in protest to the flag they are disrespecting everyone who sacrificed to make this country what it is today — as imperfect as it might be.”

“Those that believe the flag represents oppression should remember all the Americans who fought to eliminate bigotry, racism, sexism, imperialism, communism, and terrorism. The flag rode with the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th, 10th, 24th and 25th Calvary and Infantry Regiments. It was carried by the suffragists down the streets of New York City. It flew with the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII. It was planted in the fields where Cesar Chavez spoke. It marched with Martin Luther King Jr. It rocketed into space on the shoulder patches of women, gays, Hispanic, Asian and African American astronauts.”

“… It is a flag for everyone, of every color, of every race, of every creed, and of every orientation, but the privilege of living under this flag does not come without cost. Nor should it come without respect. The nation and everything it strives for is embodied in the American flag. We strive to be more inclusive. We strive to be more understanding. We strive to fix the problems that plague our society.”

“But in striving to do so, we must have a common bond; some symbol that reminds us of our past struggles and propels us to a brighter, more enlightened future. That symbol is the American flag.”

“The young student-athletes are future leaders of this nation,” McRaven stated. “By showing respect for the flag, they are making it possible for America to be everything we dreamed it could be.”

Earlier on January 6, long before Kaepernick began disrespecting his country, McRaven sent a memo to the UT System’s presidents and athletic directors in which he stated that it was important for the athletes to stand up straight when the National Anthem is being played, to face the flag, and to place their hand over their heart as a sign of respect to this nation.

Here are some excerpts from that memo:

“The flag represents all that is good and decent about these United States. Honoring the flag does not imply all that the Republic for which it stands is perfect. Far from it, honoring the flag is our collective commitment that we will constantly attempt to get better as a nation, to improve as a people, and to use the freedoms we have been given to make the earth a better place.”

"In today’s world where the values we hold so dear seem to be under constant assault, I believe it is more important than ever for us to show respect for the flag; to demonstrate to the world that we are teaching our young men and women to honor the principles that made this country great,”

“I would ask that you encourage coaching staff and players to stand up straight when the National Anthem is being played; to face the flag and place their hand over their heart as a sign of respect to this nation. It is a simple act but I believe it will have a lasting affect [sic] on those that see it.”

Admiral McRaven shows why having a former career military man at the head of a large university system is so much better than having a wishy-washy educator at the head of it.

Kudos for Admiral McRaven! Kudos for NHL coach John Tortorella who said, “If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game.” Shane on the the 49ers for supporting Kaepernick’s sorry ass protest! And above all, uber-shame on the National Football league for allowing Kaepernick and NFL players on other teams to kneel, instead of standing, during the playing of the anthem.