Amid a national discourse on whether it is acceptable for athletes to kneel during the playing of the national anthem, NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski posted a series of tweets Tuesday night explaining his stance on the controversial issue.
Brad Keselowski explains why he stands for the national anthem
The former NASCAR champion shared his viewpoint on the national anthem in a series of tweets Tuesday night.
Keselowski began his Twitter thread by posting: “I support your civil rights 100%” and “PLEASE DON’T believe this” in reference to a link included of a Huffington Post article with the headline: “White athletes still standing For the anthem are standing for white supremacy.” He also said he was advised by his reps to avoid commenting on the hot-button topic, but thought it was important he say something publicly.
Keselowski is the 2012 Cup champion and is known for punctuating wins by holding the American flag out his car’s window while celebrating. Last year, he wrote a blog on why he chooses to stand for the national anthem and why he disagreed with then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee, though Keselowski acknowledged Kaepernick’s right to do so.
Below is Keselowski’s initial tweet, followed by the six tweets edited together:
“My reps want me to stay out of this, I CAN’T. 2 all my friends & supporters, I support your civil rights 100%. PLEASE DON’T believe this. I #Choose2honor our country and hope other do too out of respect and love for a country that has provided us so many blessing. Sure our country isn’t perfect (far from it), the list of misgivings is tremendous, but I hope you can see the positives & honor it as well.
“Please don’t believe that when we stand it’s out of disrespect to civil rights; it is and always will be out of respect and love for our (American flag). I plan to stand and sing the national anthem with my family as long as we are able, every chance possible. I hope you will too. So please don’t fall for the false narrative of choice between patriotism and racism. It’s simply not the case.”
Keselowski isn’t the lone NASCAR driver to weigh in on etiquette during the playing of The Star Spangled Banner. On Monday morning, Dale Earnhardt Jr. tweeted, “All Americans R granted rights 2 peaceful protests. Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable,” a quote attributed to John F. Kennedy.
On Monday night, Denny Hamlin posted a video showing he and other men standing during the national anthem before a basketball game on a court at his home.
Earnhardt’s social media post came a day after NASCAR team owners Richard Petty and Richard Childress each said they would fire any employee who didn’t stand for the national anthem. Their respective comments prompted President Donald Trump to tweet Monday morning that he was proud of NASCAR and its fans for its stance on the national anthem.
NASCAR does not have a policy requiring drivers and team personnel to stand for the national anthem. In response to Petty’s and Childress’ remarks on Sunday, the sanctioning body issued a statement Monday afternoon.
“Sports are a unifying influence in our society, bringing people of differing backgrounds and beliefs together,” NASCAR said in a statement. “Our respect for the national anthem has always been a hallmark of our pre-race events. Thanks to the sacrifices of many, we live in a country of unparalleled freedoms and countless liberties, including the right to peacefully express one’s opinion.”
See More:
