Team USA’s head coach John Tortorella was recently asked what would happen if one of his players sat during the national anthem. He did not hold back.
“If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game.”
For John Tortorella, the national anthem is about paying respect for those who have served and those currently serving.
“Listen, we’re in a great country because we can express ourselves, and I’m not against expressing yourself,” said Tortorella, who has often expressed himself quiet vocally throughout his coaching career. “That’s what’ great about our country. We can do that. But there are men and women that give their lives for their flag, for their anthem, have given their lives, continue to put themselves on the line with our services for our flag, for our anthem, families that have been disrupted, traumatic physical injuries, traumatic mental injuries for these people that give us the opportunity to do the things we want to do, there’s no chance an anthem and a flag should come into any type of situation where you’re trying to make a point.
“It is probably the most disrespectful thing you can do as a U.S. citizen is to bring that in, because that’s our symbol. All for expressing yourself. That’s what’s so great. Everybody does. But no chance when it comes to the flag anthem. No chance.
Tortorella’s son Nick is a member of the US Army Rangers and has toured in Afghanistan. Nick has reportedly talked to the players for team USA multiple times about what it means to represent the United States.
Seth Jones, one of Tortorella’s young, star defenseman in Columbus will be representing the United States as well at the world cup. Jones is also African American.
“I have no problem with the comments,” Jones said. “You’re not going to see me sitting down. I don’t know Kaepernick at all, but I wont sit down. Not even a thought.”
While some have come out and defended his stance and others have had different opinions, many, including his players for the United States have tried to downplay the comments, hoping to focus on hockey.
“I think as athletes we have a great platform and to use it to influence social change is within our right,” said David Backes of the Boston Bruins. “Whether you should do that during the anthem, which stands for our country and salutes those who have given their lives for our country, allowing athletes to play is a matter of debate. I have my opinions on that.”
“It’s making headlines and everything,” said Cory Schneider, goaltender for the New Jersey Devils and team USA. “It’s his right to do, but everyone here is just concentrating on representing their country and their flag.”
There is no doubt that Tortorella will want to focus on nothing but hockey now, but it is still an issue close to his heart. With his son Nick serving in the military it always will be. “I know these are hockey games. But I look at it like it’s for my country,” he said. What Nick is doing dwarfs what we do. We’re entertainers; we’re playing a sport.”
After all is said and done, hockey games will be played, goals will be scored, hits will be thrown and anthems will be sung. But not a single player on the United States bench will be sitting during the Star Spangled Banner.
