Gabby Douglas apologizes for offending people during national anthem

U.S. women’s gymnast Gabby Douglas was criticized for not placing her hand over her heart during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” Tuesday night, and she has since apologized to anyone she may have offended.

Douglas was ripped apart on social media for standing with her hands by her side as the U.S. national anthem played after she and her teammates received their gold medals. She wrote on Twitter that she “never meant any disrespect.”

#GoUSA #TeamUSA #FinalFive pic.twitter.com/vzhFZxYOWb

— Gabrielle Douglas (@gabrielledoug) August 10, 2016

While many were quick to jump all over Douglas, plenty of people came to her defense — some of them quite prominent.

I do the same -stand attention without hand over heart. Not sure what the big deal is. #stillmerica @gabrielledoug https://t.co/ykikZLEteO

— Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) August 10, 2016

Douglas, who is now part of a gold medal-winning team that has its own clever nickname, clearly wasn’t trying to offend anyone. Unfortunately, the social media era makes not offending people quite impossible.

Photo: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports