MrsSpringsteen
Blue Crack Addict
I wonder what would happen if any of the players refused to remove their hats/helmets.
(CBS4) SHARON A silent protest is drawing loud criticism from Massachusetts veterans. Before every game, Sharon football coach, John Cacace refuses to take his hat off during the national anthem, but he won't say exactly why.
The men at VFW Post 7238 in Sharon take pride in their military service, and expect a level of respect for that service. So they're angry the local high school football coach refuses to remove his hat when the national anthem is performed before games.
Head coach Cacace declined to comment on camera for this story. He issued a statement saying: "I applaud all of the people who helped secure my right of freedom of expression and freedom of speech. I regret that this may in any way, shape or form take away from the effort and perseverance my team has put forth on the field."
Veterans say he doesn't get it. "If you don't want to take your hat off, or if you don't want to be respectful to the flag, you're being disrespectful to those who served, those who are serving, and those killed in action."
In town, parents say this is about rules. "Just as high school students, they have to. One requirement is they can't wear hats in school, and those are rules. I think the coach should follow the rules society has put in place for the national anthem."
The Sharon football team is scheduled to play their next game this Saturday, which ironically enough, is Veterans Day.
School officials would only say publicly that the coach has a right to express his personal opinions. The coach did try to reach out to the veterans at Local 7238, but he was not invited in.
(CBS4) SHARON A silent protest is drawing loud criticism from Massachusetts veterans. Before every game, Sharon football coach, John Cacace refuses to take his hat off during the national anthem, but he won't say exactly why.
The men at VFW Post 7238 in Sharon take pride in their military service, and expect a level of respect for that service. So they're angry the local high school football coach refuses to remove his hat when the national anthem is performed before games.
Head coach Cacace declined to comment on camera for this story. He issued a statement saying: "I applaud all of the people who helped secure my right of freedom of expression and freedom of speech. I regret that this may in any way, shape or form take away from the effort and perseverance my team has put forth on the field."
Veterans say he doesn't get it. "If you don't want to take your hat off, or if you don't want to be respectful to the flag, you're being disrespectful to those who served, those who are serving, and those killed in action."
In town, parents say this is about rules. "Just as high school students, they have to. One requirement is they can't wear hats in school, and those are rules. I think the coach should follow the rules society has put in place for the national anthem."
The Sharon football team is scheduled to play their next game this Saturday, which ironically enough, is Veterans Day.
School officials would only say publicly that the coach has a right to express his personal opinions. The coach did try to reach out to the veterans at Local 7238, but he was not invited in.