The LSU Tigers were absent during the national anthem for the game against Iowa Hawkeyes.

Jeff Landry and Angel Reese

On Monday, in the NCAA’s March Madness, the Iowa Hawkeyes faced off against the LSU Tigers for an ‘Elite Eight’ matchup. The battle between two of the best teams in women’s college basketball was highly anticipated. However, the game started on an unusual note as the Tigers left the court before the national anthem was played.

A video went viral of the Iowa players standing up while holding hands on the court as the Tigers were absent. After the incident, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry tweeted a news that shook the basketball world. The governor suggested that there should be a policy where students will risk their college policy for not being present for the national anthem.

It is time that all college boards, including Regent, put a policy in place that student athletes be present for the national anthem or risk their athletic scholarship!

Jeff Landry wrote

After the game, during the press conference, LSU’s head coach Kim Mulkey spoke about the athletes’ absence during the national anthem. The coach revealed that the absence was unintentional and explained the team’s pregame routine. Mulkey also apologized for the incident.

We kind of have a routine where we are on the floor then they come off at the 12-minute mark... I’m sorry. Listen, that’s nothing intentionally done.

Kim Mulkey said

Jeff Landry mentioned Mulkey in the tweet and expressed respect for the HC. But Landry mentioned that the respect for the country and its protectors is greater than the respect he has for the game of basketball. To sum it up, the fans did not expect this level of consequence for the students.

Fans were unhappy with Jeff Landry’s decision of student-athletes losing scholarships

This is not the first time players have been absent for the national anthem in sports events. In March Madness itself, LSU on multiple occasions has been absent for the pregame national anthem. The team follows their pregame routine for all games and enters the court 12 minutes before the tipoff.

Hence, Landry’s strong statement regarding the players’ absence did not sit well with fans. The netizens called out the governor for being unfamiliar with LSU’s national anthem absence during each game. The fans were also unhappy with the huge decision of risking the athletes’ scholarships and taking away the freedom of the players. Here are some of the reactions:

Seems like it was not the Tigers’ day as they ended their race to the national championship by losing against Iowa. The team is now out of the NCAA championship’s ‘Elite Eight’ and it is curtains on their 2023-24 season. The team will now also face the risk of losing their scholarship.