As the conversation around racial injustice continues to dominate American politics, one soccer team is dropping “The Star-Spangled Banner” from its pregame routine.
Tulsa Athletic, a team in the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League, announced Wednesday it will be replacing the national anthem with Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” at home matches.
In their statement explaining the decision, the team pointed to the little-known third verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner” which includes the lines “No refuge could save the hireling and slave / From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave…” Given those lyrics, Tulsa Athletic said “the song does not align with the club’s core values.