Carolina Panthers’ Jeremy Shockey Slams Houston Texans Players for Poor National Anthem Etiquette

The Blaze/AP ^ | 12/19/11 | Billy Hallowell

[nhwingut]

HOUSTON (The Blaze/AP) — Carolina Panthers tight end Jeremy Shockey criticized members of the Houston Texans for not putting their hands over their hearts during the national anthem, calling their inaction “kind of offensive.”

Shockey says he saw “about 10 players” who didn’t do the traditional gesture when the anthem is played, and he told some of them how he felt during Carolina’s 28-13 victory.

“I was pretty upset in the way they weren’t showing respect to America during the national anthem,” Shockey said. “This is America and you should at least give respect to America.”

[scooby321]

I am impressed with Shockey. Congrads

[Hot Tabasco]

That offends me to no end! Finally, somebody on the field having the guts to stand up and say something.......Good for you Jeremy!

[RightFighter]

When I was in high school, I was selected to attend Boys’ State, which was put on by the American Legion. They taught us that for the Pledge of Allegiance, putting the hand over the heart was customary, but for the national anthem, standing at rapt attention was perfectly acceptable. There are others out there on the Internet who say similar things. It would appear that this is something that has changed over time and is a source of confusion. I think much worse of someone not standing or not taking off his hat than I do about someone not holding their hand over their heart.

[Paradox]

Shockey is one crazy mof*, but he’s got this one right. Kinda surprised actually, pleasantly.

[tentmaker]

They taught us that for the Pledge of Allegiance, putting the hand over the heart was customary, but for the national anthem, standing at rapt attention was perfectly acceptable.

Exactly. Many of us were taught to salute when wearing a uniform, but when out of uniform, to pay respect by standing and removing any head cover. This is not disrespect and nobody should get bent out shape.

[Sans-Culotte]

What a non-story. It’s not like they were horsing around. They probably used Obama as their pledge role model.

[Clara Lou]

I hope everyone who comments here takes the time to view the video. Note the Carolina bench.

[no dems]

I teach in a school district that is 80% minority. Almost everyone of them gets a free breakfast and lunch. Yet, each morning when we say the “Pledge of Allegiance” they NEVER put their hand over their heart and NEVER say the pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags; the two government entities that just fed their lazy a**. I’ve raised hell about it to no avail.

[ontap]

I also taught at a minority school in the Dallas ISD and experienced the same behavior. I never missed an opportunity to remind them off their privileged existence and the men in uniform who made it possible. My school was 70% latino and 28% black. You can draw your own conclusions!!!

[chainsaw]

Too some football players he game is not bout patriotism, it’s bout them.

[ontap]

What video I can’t find it!

[Gil4]

The AF teaches this:

In military uniform, outdoors - salute, indoors - stand at attention.

Out of uniform, indoors or out - remove head cover, hand over heart.

There might be some different traditions, since I was briefed at an Army post that during retreat we were expected to stop the car, get out and render proper courtesies while on AF bases we stop and sit at attention in the vehicle. (If you’re in you stay in, if you’re out, stay out.) Maybe this is different as well.

[Clara Lou]

There’s a video link at www.chron.com (The Houston Chronicle).

[oh8eleven]

I was briefed at an Army post that during retreat we were expected to stop the car, get out and render proper courtesies
while on AF bases we stop and sit at attention
Parris Island was 45 years ago, so IIRC ... when in a car you're considered outdoors so you wear your cover (hat) in the car.
However, you do not render a salute for colors, you merely sit at attention.

[Clara Lou]

Direct link to video.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I spent the entirety of my youth as a military dependent living on military installations, from the 1950s through the early 1970s, and we knew the protocol for the playing of the Anthem. Placing the hand over the heart was never part of the protocol. I don't know where this came from, but the placing of the hand over the heart is meant to symbolize fidelity, which is why it's used for the Pledge of Allegiance.

What gets my goat with the Anthem as it's rendered at sporting events nowadays is the singing of it either as a pop-rock piece, or a funeral dirge, with the athletes bowing their heads as if in prayer. None of those things, to my mind, are in keeping with the spirit of the Anthem.

[wintertime]

How much support do you get from the Marixst administration and Marxist teachers? Zero?

My brother taught for a few years in an Eastern inner city socialist high school. He report the same. His classroom was the only classroom in the school with an American flag.

[PA BOOKENDS]

I agree. Maybe it’s an generational thing (I’m 63), but I learned as you did. I still don’t put my hand on my heart for the National Anthem. However, I can’t remember what we were taught was the proper etiquette for when the flag, being carried, passed in front of you. I know standing was mandatory, and doffing of hats of course, but hand over heart? Anyone know?

[BIV]

As a civilian, I was taught to place my hand over my heart for the Pledge, but to stand at attention with my hat off for the Anthem. As far as I know, there has never been any protocol requiring that one place his hand over his heart during the Anthem.
Further, I was taught not to applaud at the conclusion of the Anthem.
It’s was not about the performer, at least in those (better) days.