The National Anthem is part of our sports heritage traditionally played at public sports events. But youth hockey players in Pennsylvania were told recently that the National Anthem intrudes too much into their game schedule and teams should take the anthem out.
“The National Anthem should not be played only because of time constrains,” said Ed Sam, PA Interscholastic Hockey League Commissioner. “It’s not that we’re not patriotic, that’s the furthest from the truth.” Hockey teams are not prohibited from playing the National Anthem before games, just discouraged.
At $300 plus per hour on the ice, the PIHL says it’s about the money. But backlash from residents and families has been fierce causing the league to rethink their decision.
You can watch the full story on the CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh:
