Singer Gets Apology From Sixers For National Anthem Booting Incident

The Philadelphia 76ers apologized to a recording artist on Friday for a rushed decision to deny her from singing the US national anthem at their season opener this week. The team barred the singer from singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the last-minute because she was in a “We Matter” jersey.

Sevyn Streeter said the team told her that she could not take the court because of her shirt. She was informed only moments before she was slated to sing the national anthem. A 76ers’ dance team member went on to sing the anthem.

“We are sorry that this happened. After receiving feedback from our players, basketball operations staff and ownership group, we believe that the wrong decision was made, and Sevyn should have been welcomed to sing,” the Sixers said in a statement.

“We apologize to her, and in an effort to move the conversation forward, we have reached out to offer her an opportunity to return and perform at a game of her choice. We are waiting to hear back.”

The Sixers originally refused to say why Streeter did not perform on Wednesday. They only said that the team supports consequential actions to drive social change.

The team said in a separate statement that they use their games to bring people together, to strengthen communities and to build trust. Further, they will continue to leverage their platform to positively affect the community. They also said they will move from symbolic gestures to action.

Preceding this incident, a woman sang the national anthem while kneeling at center court. She wore a “Black Lives Matter” shirt beneath an opened shirt. This happened last week at the opening of a preseason game between the Sixers and host Miami Heat.

Protests during the national anthem have been a burning matter in recent months. This type of protest started when National Football League quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to not stand for its playing.

Kaepernick has mentioned police brutality and racial injustice among the motives for his protest. Several athletes from varying sports have since followed his lead in different ways, including linking arms during the anthem.

The post Singer Gets Apology From Sixers For National Anthem Booting Incident appeared first on Newsline.