Unless you were in a cave or a coma, you likely heard about this week’s game between LSU and Iowa in the Elite Eight playoffs. A rematch between last year’s top contenders (LSU prevailed in 2023), the game was widely anticipated, with sports journalists abuzz about trash talk exchanged by the team’s top players, LSU’s Angel Reese and Iowa’s record-smashing Caitlin Clark.
Sadly for the Bayou State, the Hawkeyes ended up besting the Tigers 94-87. Afterwards, despite disappointment, LSU coach Kim Mulkey paid Clark the ultimate compliment: "I sure am glad you leaving. Girl, you something else. Never seen anything like it."
Not everyone’s post-game sentiments were as gracious. Rather than congratulate the Iowa women or even drop an “attagirl” kind of message for the home team, the new governor was outraged that the team had been off court when the national anthem was played, tweeting:
My mother coached women’s high school basketball during the height of desegregation, no one has a greater respect for the sport and for Coach Mulkey. However, above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag !
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! This is a matter of respect that all collegiate coaches should instill.
emphasis added
Leaving aside the blatant emo triggers “mom,” “serve and protect,” and “unite… one flag,” let’s look at the noob guv’s actual proposal: mandate presence for an reverence to the flag. Salute or pay full tuition!
Now, I’m sure Gov. Landry would like the authority of a private entity like the NFL to dictate whether its players must show respect or veneration for the country’s symbols, but, sadly for him, Louisiana is a state, not a corporation.
And, as every smartass, you-can’t-make-me high school student knows, the First Amendment prevents government from compelling performative patriotism.
Aside: I don’t know what sorts of hype up rituals Mulkey or other coaches employ, but two other teams apparently failed to hit the court in time for the anthem. The governors of those states failed to jump on the opportunity to flag hump, though.