NEW ORLEANS -- Since Colin Kaepernick began refusing to stand for the national anthem in August, visible protests have spread from National Football League all the way to the high school level, prompting the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to explain the organization's stance on protests.
A letter from Eddie Bonine, the LHSAA executive director, acknowledged the protests during the national anthem before high school football games reached Louisiana last Friday. The protests were done "by LHSAA athletes and fans," though he didn't specify where these protests took place.
"I have met with my executive cabinet, discussed a similar protest which took place in the State of Washington prior to a football game last Friday night sanctioned by the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA)," Bonine said. "I have since spoken to LHSAA Legal Counsel and discussed the topic."
Bonine concluded that it is up to the schools and school district, saying,
"The LHSAA is a principal organization, whereas in these situations where the LHSAA Rules and Regulations do not take precedence, any/all decisions related to individual(s) and/or team(s) expression(s) exhibited during any pre-event National Anthem at a LHSAA regular season and/or post-season game, match, meet or contest, will be determined by individual member school and/or member school's school district."
