Washington soccer team coach Ron Rivera explained on Monday what he plans to do during the national anthem as players and other teams talk about unified protests this season.
Rivera said NBC4 Sports it will be held during the national anthem but will support players who choose to kneel in protest against racial injustice and police brutality. He added that he would put the initials “JL” on his hat to pay tribute to the late Congressman John Lewis.
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“I’m not going to kneel down because my dad served in the military,” Rivera said, despite players insisting that kneeling during the national anthem does not disrespect the military. “My brother was a first responder. My wife’s family was in the military. My father had brothers who served in World War II. So for me sticking to attention is what I’m going to do. This is how I will honor them.
He said he would kneel during the toss before the game.
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“I don’t want the message to be twisted when it comes to ‘Oh, well, you knelt down during the anthem,'” he told the station. “I will make sure that my message that I have will be during the draw. For anyone who doesn’t agree with me, well, I’m sorry, but it’s my right.
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Rivera previously expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the ensuing unrest in cities across the United States.
