The Baltimore Ravens’ official national anthem singer has resigned, saying he no longer feels welcome.
Singer Joey Odoms announced the news of his resignation in an Instagram post on Tuesday. In the post, Odoms said he feels “I do not belong there.”
According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, Odoms has held the position of anthem singer since 2014.
Joey Odoms, the Ravens' national anthem singer since 2014, has informed the team that he is resigning.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) September 27, 2017
Zrebiec says Odoms is a military veteran who met Ravens head coach John Harbaugh during a military visit and expressed interest in singing the anthem.
Odoms is a combat vet who met Ravens coach John Harbaugh during one of the coach's military visits and expressed interest in signing anthem.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) September 27, 2017
The national anthem has become a contested issue in the NFL. Last year, Colin Kaepernick sat down during the anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality in the country. He later began kneeling for the anthem and was joined by a few other players throughout the league. Even though Kaepernick remains unsigned, a few other players continued the practice this season.
Matters came to a head this weekend after President Donald Trump referred to those protesting during the anthem as a “son of a b—-” and advocated owners firing such players. Multiple players responded by kneeling during the anthem, while several owners joined the players as a symbol of unity.
The issue is so divisive that DirecTV reportedly is giving refunds to some customers who try to cancel their NFL package citing the anthem protests.
Here’s a look at Odom singing the anthem in uniform and in a suit.
