The Philadelphia 76ers pulled an R&B singer from her scheduled national anthem performance before their game Wednesday night because of a message she had written across her shirt, and the players are reportedly not happy about it.
Sevyn Streeter says the 76ers told her two minutes before she was about to walk onto the floor that she had to change her shirt, which said “We Matter” across the front.
Was suppose to sing the anthem at @sixers & @okcthunder game but mins b4 @sixers said I couldn't because I was wearing a "We Matter" jersey pic.twitter.com/wjoJN3rq0r
— Sevyn (@sevyn) October 27, 2016
The Sixers declined to specify why Streeter’s performance was canceled, but the 30-year-old told ESPN it was because of her wardrobe.
“I was angry, extremely, extremely angry, and disappointed and honestly brought to tears by all of it. It broke my heart,” Streeter said. “Honestly, I was very excited about being able to perform the national anthem. I was really looking forward to that.”
According to TMZ, the organization’s decision to scratch Streeter’s performance did not sit well with at least “a handful” of 76ers players.
We know several players are upset. One player who wishes to remain anonymous says the decision to not let Sevyn sing has rubbed him the wrong way.
It’s not like there’s a locker room revolt in the works — but as one team source puts it, “The organization owes Sevyn an apology and we hope that happens soon.”
National anthem protests and demonstrations have become increasingly popular since Colin Kaepernick decided to take a knee during “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a preseason game. Some players have followed Kaepernick’s lead, while others have come up with different ways to make a statement.
