Historically, college football groups have stayed in the locker room while the national anthem plays, basically because there are bands on the field.
But Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Monday that having players in the picture this season is a “topical issue. “This year will be a little different, because institutionally by institutional, we will make decisions. based on how the anthem is performed. There is great institutional freedom. “
The NFL and NBA have been e wrapped up in controversy when players kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner” to protest the abuses of social justice. College football has largely strayed from such controversy. The 12 most sensible sports managers meet on Tuesday and Bowlsby said the most sensible will most likely be discussed.
At a game in Texas-El Paso last Saturday, players Stephen F. Austin knelt with his fist raised after the Lumberjacks scored a touchdown. Stephen F. Austin sanctioned for being behind in the game.
“It is expected that there will be some latitude locally, and we hope that there will be representations of student-athlete sentiments in ways,” Bowlsby said. “In a safe latitude, we inspire those things and we want to make sure that student-athletes can locate their voice and use their voice, but we also want to manage it so that there are no significant interruptions in competition either.
The 12 primary groups will put in place a crusade against racism and hatred this season, Bowlsby said. The program will come with a patch with social justice messages on the maximum uniforms and a black Big 12/unit label on the back of the helmets. .
Patches are subject to university approval. Bowlsby stated that there were also 30- and 60-second television commercials in which the convention would use broadcasts of the Big 12.
He said the convention would continue with voter registration systems and an internship program for other people of color. Bowlsby said the racial justice component “intersects the sporting environment” and that some use athletics as “a very smart platform. “
Bowlsby added that athletes “have discovered his voice. I hope it doesn’t stop. Locate your voice and make your voice heard. That’s the essence of our campaign. ” You see me somehow in the box and you see me in a sense outside the box. “