Sevyn Streeter has received an apology from the Philadelphia 76ers after the team banned her from singing the national anthem, allegedly because she was wearing a “We Matter” jersey. After players and fans responded negatively to the team’s action, team officials responded by issuing a statement.
“We are sorry that this happened,” the 76ers wrote in a statement. “After receiving feedback from our players, basketball operations staff and ownership group, we believe that the wrong decision was made, and Sevyn should have been welcomed to sing. We apologize to her, and in an effort to move the conversation forward, we have reached out to offer her an opportunity to return and perform at a game of her choice. We are waiting to hear back.”
Moments before she was set to sing the national anthem, officials with the 76ers approached Streeter and told her that she couldn’t wear the jersey while singing. She was essentially replaced at the last minute by a member of the dance squad, who performed the controversial song.
Streeter took to social media to express herself by posting to her followers, “Was suppose to sing the anthem, but minutes before, the Sixers said I couldn’t because I was wearing a ‘We Matter’ jersey. Streeter also revealed that she wasn’t given a dress code before being asked to sing the national anthem and felt humiliated by being replaced. She was brought to tears by the decision.
Denasia Lawrence decided to make a bold statement while singing the national anthem during the Miami Heat’s final preseason game against the Sixers. While wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt under a blazer, Lawrence followed in the footsteps of Kaepernick by taking a knee.
Steeter has yet to respond to the 76ers offer for her to return to Philadelphia and sing the national anthem.
