Former Orlando Pride player Rachel Hill voiced her support for the Black Lives Matter movement on social media Tuesday, but the striker stood by her decision not to kneel during the national anthem ahead of a Chicago Red Stars match.
The playing of the anthem ahead of the Red Stars’ match against the Washington Spirit on Saturday created an indelible image — Chicago defender Casey Short broke down in tears while kneeling, eventually leaning into the supportive hug of kneeling team captain, Julie Ertz.
The image of Short and Ertz embracing dominated headlines and sports broadcasts throughout the following news cycle.