On Friday, the U.S. women’s national soccer team opened the 2023 Women’s World Cup in controversial fashion. Prior to their 3-0 victory over Vietnam, the majority of U.S. players neither sang nor placed hands over their hearts during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly was not impressed.
On Monday’s episode of “The Megyn Kelly Show” on YouTube, Kelly and two of her guests expressed both outrage and dismay.
The players’ failure to show any outward sign of respect angered Kelly more than anything.
“That was a bridge too far. They couldn’t be bothered to actually place their hand on their heart,” she said.
The latest controversy comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with the U.S. women’s soccer team’s recent history. Longtime player Megan Rapinoe, for instance, has sullied the team’s reputation with her frequentultra-woke commentsand behavior.
In fact, one former playerrecalledthat Rapinoe would “almost bully players into kneeling” for the national anthem.
Rapinoe holds a roster spot on the current World Cup team but plans to retire soon.
She did not start the first game and thus had no chance to show disrespect for the anthem.
Of the 11 players who did start, only five held a hand over their hearts, and only three sang along with the anthem.
Meanwhile, all 11 Vietnamese players sang their country’s national anthem and placed hands over their hearts.
To illustrate the contrast, Kelly played a clip of the Vietnamese players singing and appearing respectful.
The segment can be seen here: