NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced during a press conference Wednesday (May 23) that the NFL would fine any players who do not stand for the national anthem, citing “keeping focus on the game” and saying that players can “stay in the locker room until the anthem has been performed.”
Following the press conference, actress and singer Mary Millben, a soloist who has performed for Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, stood by Goodell’s decision, citing the national anthem as a “sacred moment” in a statement.
“Out of respect for our men and women in uniform, our veterans, military spouses, their families, and our law enforcement, I stand, put my hand over my heart, and sing in honor of their service,” she continued. “As Americans, we should all respect that moment and stand.”
Goodell’s move is the capping moment in an ongoing series of national anthem protests by NFL players in which they “took a knee” to draw attention to police brutality and systemized racial discrimination. Donald Trump has often inserted himself into the controversy, saying they should “take that son of a bitch off the field” if a player takes a knee for the anthem and insinuating that those who do so should be fired or suspended.
In the final line of her statement, Millben thanked Trump for his role in the NFL’s decision. “Thank you President Trump for raising this conversation to a national level with the desire to remind us of American patriotism and of those who have sacrificed and died for our freedom.”
The #NationalAnthem at any public venue is a sacred moment. A moment where we pause & show gratitude to those who daily sacrifice for our freedom & died for it. As Americans, we should respect the moment & stand. Thank you Roger Goodell, @NFL, & owners. Bravo, @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/fE7Dnt9wW2
— Mary Millben (@MaryMillben) May 23, 2018