University of Kentucky president Eli Capilouto and athletic director Mitch Barnhart issued a joint statement Monday in support of the Wildcats' basketball team, led by head coach , taking a knee during the national anthem before Saturday's game against Florida.
ESPN's Myron Medcalf provided the full statement after there were calls from some local officials in Kentucky to defund the university:
"A value we all hold dear in our country is the right of free speech and self-expression. That right for young students such as these is important, too, as they learn, grow, and find out who they are and what they believe.