Soccer star Megan Rapinoe joined Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest over the weekend by kneeling during “The Star Spangled Banner” before her National Women’s Soccer League team, the Seattle Reign, took on the Chicago Red Stars. The 31-year-old member of the U.S. National Team was planning to continue her protest Wednesday night when the Reign traveled to play the Washington Spirit, but the D.C.-area franchise intentionally scuttled the symbolic gesture by playing the national anthem earlier than usual when the teams weren’t on the field to participate. The decision was made by the Spirit team owner, Air Force veteran Bill Lynch.
“We decided to play the anthem in our stadium ahead of schedule rather than subject our fans and friends to the disrespect we feel such an act would represent,” the Spirit said in a statement. “We understand this may be seen as an extraordinary step, but believe it was the best option to avoid taking focus away from the game on such an important night for our franchise… To willingly allow anyone to hijack this tradition that means so much to millions of Americans and so many of our own fans for any cause would effectively be just as disrespectful as doing it ourselves.”
“Rapinoe and members of both teams warmed up for about 25 minutes following a rain delay. They then left the field before the anthem and returned shortly after for the start of the game,” according to USA Today. “League commissioner Jeff Plush was in attendance at the game and said he was surprised when he rushed out to the field to see the anthem and the players weren’t there. He had no knowledge of the Spirit’s plans before the game.”
“I would have preferred to have had an honest dialogue of what we wanted to do, what their goals were, and then work through it,” Plush told the Washington Post. “I don’t suggest I have all the answers, but it’s better to talk about it. I’m disappointed.”
“We will continue to encourage all Reign FC players to participate in the pre-match ceremony, which honors those who have served and made sacrifices on our behalf,” the Reign said in a statement before the match on Wednesday. “We will also continue to allow players to participate in the pre-match ceremony in a manner consistent with their personal beliefs, reflecting our respect for the rights earned and defended by those fighting for our nation.”
