In a show of support of Black Lives Matter, a high school baseball team in Iowa opened its season on Monday by taking a knee during the national anthem.
According to local NBC affiliate WHO, the Roosevelt Roughriders, in their home white uniforms, stepped out of their third-base dugout and dropped to a knee and linked arms as “The Star-Spangled Banner” played at Principal Park in Des Moines, home of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.
“We’re just trying to show our appreciation, and it’s about social justice,” Roosevelt senior outfielder Jayden Singleton told the news outlet.
“It shows how we are together as a team and have a strong core.”
Don't Miss
Senior infielder Alex Pendergast told the station that the kneeling is “no disrespect to the flag. It’s simply to bring attention to the issues at hand, and I think we did the right thing.”
“If we had some standing and some kneeling, it’s not as big of a deal. But to show that our whole team came together and kneeled, I think it makes a very big impact.”
The players in Des Monies had the backing of school administrators.
Watch:
LOOK: Baseball returns to Iowa — and Des Moines Roosevelt High School players kneel during the National Anthem.
— Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman) June 16, 2020
Share your reaction.
