‘Where I stand’ – Sophie Cunningham addresses WNBA teams walking out during US national anthem
· Yahoo Sports
Amid all the controversy this season surrounding WNBA players walking out while the national anthem is playing, Sophie Cunningham has now spoken about it.
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A recent topic of conversation in the world of basketball has been players walking out or doing other things while the United States national anthem plays before the game. President Donald Trump went off about LeBron James ‘disrespecting’ it, while WNBA stars have also been called out for it.
The issue has come up during the Finals, with the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream both receiving backlash for leaving the court during the anthem in all five games so far. Sophie Cunningham has been a bit of lightning rod for the WNBA’s cultural debates this season, and she has now spoken about this.
Sophie Cunningham says people ‘know her thoughts’ on the issue and that she’s proud to be an American
Cunningham’s take sparking the conversation about transgender athletes in the WNBA have led to her gaining a lot of support from conservatives. President Trump is among those who has shouted her out, even during political rallies. As such, her take on this issue is likely to lead to some big reactions.
The Indiana Fever star was asked about it by Theo Von on a podcast. While she did not criticise her colleagues outright, Cunningham was extremely candid about her own respect for the anthem.
“I mean, you know who you are talking to. Of course I have thoughts on it,” Cunningham said. “I think the majority of people know my thoughts. But I will say that this has been happening throughout the whole season. This isn’t anything new. People are just kind of getting mad about it now.
“I don’t know. Like, I just feel like personally, I am grateful and I support the people who serve. We have family members who have served. They’re over there doing things that are unimaginable for us to be out here living our dreams and having the freedoms that we live.
“So anytime I can shoutout our veterans… You know, I’m going to show that support. And I’m going to give them love. So that’s where I stand. That doesn’t mean that’s where everyone stands and if it’s right or wrong, whatever. I take a lot of pride in where I come from and I’m proud to be an American citizen.”
This is quite a savvy answer from Cunningham, who has managed to convey her point without attacking anyone for the choices they are making. The controversy is unlikely to die down soon, and it remains to be seen if her comments lead to any further discourse.
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