Historical link between sports and the national anthem faces renewed focus

The performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at sporting events originated from early 20th-century wartime patriotism rather than an apolitical tradition. Scholars note that government influence intentionally integrated these rituals into sports to foster public loyalty, particularly during the World War I and World War II eras. This historical development established a stage where athletes have frequently used the anthem as a platform for peaceful protest. Notable examples include Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Summer Olympics, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, and Colin Kaepernick. These acts of dissent often occur during a moment meant to demonstrate national unity, highlighting an ongoing tension between organized sports and political expression. The inclusion of the anthem as a pregame fixture became solidified in the 1940s alongside the emergence of public-address systems in professional stadiums.

• 12:00 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Government made sports a political event': How the national anthem became a stage for protest