Fla. Lawmaker Mocked For Proposing Bill To Protect Anthem At Sporting Events

Athletes and teams have been dissembling the national anthem in recent years. A Florida lawmaker has taken steps to combat this.

Fla. Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) has introduced a bill that if passed will require “the national anthem be played before games at professional sporting events at taxpayer-funded venues.” Gruters added that if professional teams do not comply with this bill, the team will be, “subject … to a prohibition on future contracts and fines paid directly to the state.”

Ironically, Sen. Vic Torres (D-Kissimmee) found this proposal laughable and questioned Gruters in a mocking and sarcastic tone, “Who doesn’t play the national anthem now?”

To which Gruters calmly responded, “I don’t know that there are any known instances in Florida, this is just to make sure as a proactive approach that people continue to play it,” Gruters answered.

It was recorded

The entire hearing was recorded.

Only one question: @FLSenatorTorres (D-Kissimmee), with a chuckle —

“Who doesn’t sing the national anthem now?” pic.twitter.com/IcCCMwcXNX

— Evan Donovan (@EvanDonovan) January 18, 2022

It is discouraging that a state lawmaker would find this bill to be comical, given the abundant disrespect our anthem and flag have received over the years. And while Torres might be right in that no professional Florida sports teams have removed the anthem from pregame ceremonies, it does not mean they won’t in the future (given how woke the sports world is).

There have been several teams that have removed the anthem during pregame ceremonies in the last year. During the 2020-2021 season, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban stated that he would not be playing the national anthem before home games because many players felt that “the anthem doesn’t represent them, and they want to continue discussion of how to represent people from all communities,” while also saying they don’t hate America.

That’s like saying you respect women and then shamelessly harass most females you see (Joe Biden, sniff your office.)

Texas legislators had to approve a bill that would have required professional teams to perform the national anthem prior to games. So in reality, Gruters’ proposed bill is a proactive and admirable step that should be received with respect and applause, not sarcasm and mockery.

In these crazy times, it is more beneficial to be proactive than passive.