Free Republic

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella has drastically changed his stance on players protesting during the national anthem in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the protests that ensued. Tortorella famously took a strong stance against the protest in 2016 when serving as head coach for Team USA during the World Cup of Hockey, telling ESPN at the time that he would bench any player refusing to stand for the national anthem. “If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game."

COLUMBUS, OHIO -- John Tortorella, the coach of Team USA for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, isn't backing off on his comments that he'd bench any player who didn't stand for the U.S. national anthem. On Tuesday, Tortorella told ESPN: "If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game." The coach seemed taken aback Wednesday by the reaction to his comment, but he did not backtrack on his stance. "I'm not backing off," Tortorella said after the team's on-ice workout Wednesday.