Coach Is Annoyed When Players Disregard The National Anthem: Now Look At The Veterans On The Left

May 17, 2019 by apost team

Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Buzz Williams had become increasingly frustrated by the lack of respect shown by players during the playing of the national anthem before each game.

After watching players fidget, sway back and forth, and look down at the floor during the anthem, Williams decided to do something about it. He wanted to teach his players and the overall basketball community that it is important to stand at attention and give the anthem the respect that it deserves.

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This is why Williams called in a group of US veterans to meet with his players at their home arena. Fittingly, the meeting happened on Veterans Day. Williams explained to his players how these veterans took a break from their lives to serve their country, going into battle and fighting for our freedom.

The overall message was that the players need to respect the veterans and their sacrifice by honoring the national anthem.

“We didn’t earn those chairs [referring to the white chairs the veterans sat in on the day]. Your talent didn’t earn those chairs," Coach Williams said. "These guys when they were your age, interrupted their lives. They paused their education. They changed their career. And they gave their life for those chairs.”

Williams then directed the veterans and the players to stand together and listen to the national anthem. It was a moving and powerful moment as the group of men came together to show honor to their country.

The coach was able to teach his players a lesson that they will never forget. Although he knew that he could not change the nationwide perception of the national anthem, he could influence the way that his own team looked at it. In a touching speech, the coach said,

“In the two and a half minutes when the song is played or somebody sings it or when the music is played, we’re going to stand at attention in honor of these men. Because that freedom allows us to do what we’re doing."

Now you can watch this blessed moment between veterans and basketball players.

What do you think about this video? After you have watched the inspirational video, think about who you know that should see it.