Howard University Updates Anthem Policy for Student-Athletes

0:00On March 10, Howard University has updated its policy for student-athletes during the National Anthem. Now, they must either stand or remain in the locker room before games. This change followed an incident last December when the women's basketball team knelt during a game against the United States Military Academy. The kneeling practice had been routine for years, starting around the pandemic amid widespread social justice protests over police brutality. After backlash from that Army match-up, coaches and athletics leaders met with players and decided to skip the ceremony to avoid drawing negative. Attention to the school! Coaches like Brian Davis emphasized that the team never meant to disrespect anyone and has apologized if it came across that way. One athlete shared he personally doesn't stand due to his beliefs about the Anthem's message and America's history of oppression toward black people. He noted the risks could affect all 500 student athletes in the department. Six officials insist this isn't about silencing voices, but balancing protest with the

1:03University's goals of service and dialogue. They want players to feel supported while protecting the broader program. Even with the shift, the commitment to fighting injustice endures at Howard, a hub of activism known as the Mecca, where expression has always shaped its identity.