High schools powerless against anthem protests; coaches, parents want players to act respectfully

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) – There is one night between us and Friday night lights. Will this be a weekend of high school football looks like what we saw in the NFL last weekend, that’s on the minds of school systems.

The NCHSAA commissioner tells us the Association will respect any one who chooses to stand or kneel during the anthem as their First Amendment right.

Below is the statement from commissioner Que Tucker;

“The NCHSAA is aware that some individuals, be they players, coaches or officials, are exercising their rights under the First Amendment by kneeling during the National Anthem. At the NCHSAA, we are proud of our nation’s military and the men and women in many uniforms who serve under our colors. We also know that this act of speech is protected by the Constitution of our nation, a document containing the rights and freedoms that those men and women fought to preserve and defend. With that in mind, we respect each individual’s right to stand, kneel or otherwise exercise their rights under the First Amendment.”

New Hanover and Bladen county school systems say they cannot prevent the protest, state law that does not address it.

“In light of recent events across our nation regarding opposition to the Pledge of Allegiance and/or the National Anthem being recited/sung at athletic events, Bladen County Schools will follow The North Carolina General Statute 115C-47 and the ruling of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District.

The NCGS 115C-47 requires that school districts display the American and North Carolina flags in each classroom, when available, recite the Pledge on a daily basis, and provide instruction on the meaning and historical origin of the flag and the Pledge.  It also states that no student is compelled to recite or stand for the Pledge.”

The above statement comes from Valerie Newton of the Bladen County schools system.

Columbus and Brunswick County schools have no policies against kneeling either.

On the administrative level,  kneeling or standing is free speech and they cannot make a student athlete do one or the other.

“We just need to inform our kids on the right and wrong way to do things,” says Laney High School head coach Ashaad Yeoman.

Coach Yeoman took part in a conference call with the school district Wednesday about the issue. He says if players do choose to do something it needs to be done right.

“Everybody has got their right to do their own thing and we’re going to respect that, but just at the end of the day we just want to make sure that it’s respectful.”

The fact is the players have the right, but the school does not want that to cause a problem. Warren Curtis’ son plays and he would not want him kneeling during the anthem.

“I wish they wouldn’t do it, I wish we could all just understand each other’s points of views I really wish that could happen,” Curtis says.

If he saw others do it he would not be upset.

“Even if you are against that point of view, you should listen and understand it.”

We did not hear from Whiteville City schools or Pender County schools on their policies for conduct when the national anthem is aired at an event.