Kent State invites fans on court for national anthem to encourage racial unity

Travis Durkee

Kent State invites fans on court for national anthem to encourage racial unity image

While athletes across the country protest the national anthem to bring attention to racial injustice, Kent State basketball went a different direction Wednesday.

Prior to their game against Mississippi Valley State, Kent State players went into the stands and invited a fan of a different race onto the court for the playing of the national anthem as a display of racial unity.

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"It was a special moment," senior guard Deon Edwin said (via ESPN.com). "We all come together as one. It wasn't about color of skin. If we can do that at a small school, everyone can do it."

Edwin, who was given credit for the idea, said the team plans to do the same thing for every home game this season and hopes other schools follow suit.

"This was not my idea," Kent State coach Rob Senderoff said. "This was something they came up with and brought to me. My first reaction was, 'What a statement for them to make.' For a bunch of 18- to 22-year-olds to come up with this is incredibly mature."

Travis Durkee