Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat and graduate of West Point, said he believes there are "more effective ways" for New Orleans Saints players and other professional athletes to go about protesting social inequality than not standing for the national anthem at games.
But the governor doesn't believe state funding or tax incentives can be pulled from the Saints and Pelicans franchises over the demonstrations, as lawmakers and Attorney Jeff Landry have suggested.
Read Edwards' full statement, released by his office and given on former Jefferson Parish Newell Normand's radio show in the New Orleans area, below:
"The National Anthem and the American flag are symbols of freedom and should unite all of us, despite our differences.