Inspired by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who famously knelt during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice, a group of high school football players decided to take a stand. They chose to kneel during the playing of the national anthem before their game, in an effort to raise awareness about social issues. However, their protest didn’t go unnoticed or uncontested.
The referees of the game, Ernie Lunardelli and his son Anthony, saw this as a sign of disrespect and felt compelled to take action. They promptly walked off the field, refusing to be spectators to what they perceived as an insult to America. Their response sparked a controversy that quickly spread across the community.
Ernie, a 54-year-old referee, expressed his frustration at seeing young athletes kneeling during the anthem. He firmly believes in everyone’s right to protest, but he questions why it has to be done during the pregame ceremony. To him, football should be a time when the focus is purely on the sport, not on political statements.
“I’m not in favor of anyone disrespecting our country, our flag, the armed forces,” Ernie explained. “What they’re protesting has nothing to do with the national anthem, and I’m against it, so I decided to protest against their kneeling.”
Ernie’s discontent with the protests stems from his upbringing and his unwavering respect for the flag and national anthem. He holds the view that anyone, regardless of age or background, who disrespects these symbols is someone he takes issue with. His passion for this cause prompted him to follow through on his promise to quit if students knelt during a game he officiated.
As the Lunardellis made their exit from the field, two cadets were brought in to replace them. However, Ernie argues that the game should not be considered official due to the use of untrained personnel. He believes that this decision puts the safety of the players at risk and plans to challenge the legitimacy of the match with the help of his lawyer.
“I have a lawyer already set up because they’re not going to run me out of town,” Ernie asserted defiantly.
The repercussions of this incident are far-reaching, as it highlights the deep divides within society when it comes to the issues at the heart of the protests. While some view kneeling during the anthem as disrespectful, others see it as an important means of raising awareness and sparking conversations about systemic injustices. This high school football team’s protest has inadvertently brought these conflicting viewpoints to the forefront, creating a heated debate in the community.
