Soccer Star Carli Lloyd Reveals Why She Defiantly Stood During The National Anthem

Professional athletes kneeling for the national anthem has become commonplace nowadays that those who decide to stand for the patriotic song are met with backlash and forced to explain themselves.

U.S. women’s soccer player Carli Lloyd is learning this the hard way, as she was just forced to defend herself when she decided to stand for the anthem while the rest of her team took a knee. 

Lloyd Reveals Why She Stood For National Anthem

Daily Wire reported that a reporter asked Lloyd on Tuesday why she stayed standing during the national anthem when her team was kneeling to protest “systemic racism” and alleged racially charged police brutality.

“I think the beauty of this team is that we stand behind each other, no matter what,” Lloyd replied. “And uh, some players decided to kneel, and some players decided to stand, and at the end of the day, we have each other’s backs.”

“Ultimately, we’re here to support one another in any way that we can, and that’s what’s amazing about this team,” she added.

You’ll remember Lloyd’s teammate, Megan Rapinoe… she kneeled during the anthem, following in Colin Kaepernick’s footsteps. Rapinoe has been an extremely vocal advocate for numerous LGBT organizations, and a vehement opponent of President Trump. She also was named the 2019 Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated.

Related: Megan Rapinoe ‘Totally Blindsided’ By Reaction To Her Anthem Kneeling Like Colin Kaepernick

Outkick Defends Lloyd

Sports website Outkick was quick to rush to Lloyd’s defense, pointing out how unfortunate it is that she even had to defend standing for the song when it is something that everyone should be doing without question.

There’s controversy over that statement? No, there isn’t. Her statement isn’t the problem. The real problem is that she stood for the national anthem, while other players knelt. Our national media has become an echo chamber that seeks to separate conservative and liberal voices. Many on social media presume that players who are personally against kneeling must be part of the political opposition. It’s sad that this is how our national media spends their time.”

“US women’s soccer player Carli Lloyd is being ripped for choosing to stand for the national anthem,” Clay Travis, founder of Outkick, added on Twitter. “This is where we are[.] it’s now BRAVER to stand for the anthem than to kneel.”

Soccer Team Speaks Out

In November, the U.S. Women’s Soccer team emerged from the locker room before a game wearing ““Black Lives Matter” jerseys. And most of the team then took a knee as the anthem played. 

“We love our country, and it is a true honor to represent America. It is also our duty to demand that the liberties and freedoms that our country was founded on extend to everyone,” the team said in a statement. 

“Today, we wear Black Lives Matter to affirm human decency,” they continued. “We protest against racial injustice and police brutality against Black people. We protest against the racist infrastructures that do not provide equal opportunity for Black and brown people to fulfill their dreams, including playing on this team.”

Related: Megan Rapinoe Shames America For Its ‘Brutal And Cruel Racial History’

“As the United States Women’s National team players, we collectively work toward a society where the American ideals are upheld, and Black lives are no longer systematically targeted,” the team concluded, adding, “Black Lives Matter.”

We applaud Carli Lloyd for defying her team and the radical left by honoring our country and standing for the national anthem.

We need more professional athletes like her in the world.