This past week, the NBA turned heads when every single player, coach, and referee took a knee during the National Anthem at the Pelicans/Jazz game. And they weren’t the only ones (see below).

It may have seemed patriotism had been put on ice, and as it turned out, it had.

Hence, on Saturday, just before the New York Rangers took on the Carolina Hurricanes — each NHL player stood for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

As noted by The Daily Caller, the game marked the first of the league’s 24-team post-season coronavirus return.

NHL players stand with pride during the national anthem in the first official game back.

Not a single player took a knee during the national anthem! LeBron James could learn a thing or two. pic.twitter.com/m3kmjpNFjL

— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) August 1, 2020

As for the aforementioned basketball bend, not only did all kneel, but they donned “Black Lives Matter” warmup shirts:

All players, coaches and refs take a knee and lock arms during the national anthem before the Lakers-Clippers game. pic.twitter.com/eZ9RHE3eh7

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 31, 2020

The phrase was also large-lettered on the court.

Every player, coach and ref takes a knee during the national anthem before the Pelicans-Jazz game pic.twitter.com/LZy1A6s8VM

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 30, 2020

Was the NBA touting the idea that lives matter, or was it endorsing the organization of the same name, led by “trained Marxists” and championing a dissolution of the nuclear family, in whose name protestors chant, “Pigs in a blanket fry ’em like bacon”?

And were they promoting groups who believe they can commandeer public streets:

Protesters about to get onto the I-35 and block highway traffic pic.twitter.com/tpYSSCtOco

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) August 2, 2020

Protesters have formed a line and are refusing to let cars pass pic.twitter.com/h56WoTimaY

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) August 2, 2020

No one made any of that clear.

On Friday night, one basketballer did stand for the song — Jonathan Isaac:

Orlando Magic player Jonathan Isaac stood alone for the national anthem.

This is what courage looks like. When the rest of the NBA took a knee, Isaac stood with pride for America.

Sometimes, when you stand for what is right, you must stand alone. pic.twitter.com/fl4cb2qbtF

— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) July 31, 2020

Orlando Magic player Jonathan Isaac stood alone for the national anthem.

This is what courage looks like. When the rest of the NBA took a knee, Isaac stood with pride for America.

Sometimes, when you stand for what is right, you must stand alone. pic.twitter.com/fl4cb2qbtF

— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) July 31, 2020

Back to hockey, some athletes are keeping off their knees, and perhaps it’s not just because they’re wearing skates. If so, I believe the NHL may find some new fans this go ’round, as other leagues — including Major League Baseball — are planting their flag as they plant their patellas. And a lot of Americans prefer the one that’s red, white, and blue.

On that note, I’ll leave you here with a thrilling throwback: the National Anthem, performed in Nashville two years ago by Carrie Underwood. In addition to it being a fantastic performance, look at the place — before the Zombie Apocalypse, not only was everyone standing together, but near one another.

#WorldBefore2020

Bigger than hockey.
We stand together for equality. #GoStars | #ForSmashville pic.twitter.com/zvzCEziaJG

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 30, 2020

.@carrieunderwood performed a flawless National Anthem tonight at the Nashville Predators game! 🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/iO6IQXdk6c

— Country Roundup (@_CountryRoundup) April 30, 2018

God Bless America.

-ALEX

See more pieces from me:

Major League Baseball Goes to Bat for Kneeling, and It Looks Like a Strike-Out

ESPN’s Sage Steele Delivers a Fierce Reply to Allegedly Being Excluded for Not Being ‘Black Enough’

The Great John Cleese #Cancels Cancel Culture: It ‘Misunderstands The Main Purposes Of Life’

2020 is Bogus, But the New Trailer for ‘Bill and Ted Face the Music’ Looks Excellent

Find all my RedState work here.

And please follow Alex Parker on Twitter and Facebook.

Thank you for reading! Please sound off in the Comments section below.