# Why are some american gold medlaists not saluting the flag during the anthem? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 11, 2016, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489 "2016-08-11T21:31:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/101 "2016-08-14T08:53:50Z")
> [@Pixel\_Dent](#): > > “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” > > TL/DR; If you salute the flag you hate Baby Jesus. One more good reason to do it! ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/102 "2016-08-14T14:19:51Z")
It is a song played to a piece of fabric. I couldn’t give two shits whatanyone does during. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/103 "2016-08-14T15:43:19Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > That’s terrifying. > [@ThisSpaceForRent](#): > > Wow…thats it, just Wow. > [@panache45](#): > > Just one more reason I’m not surprised whom you’re voting for. :rolleyes: How could you \*possibly \*not realize he was joking. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/104 "2016-08-14T15:45:00Z")
Yeah, he’s obviously kidding. Jeez. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/105 "2016-08-14T15:51:54Z")
I grew up learning to stand at attention respectfully. Hand over the heart was for the Pledge. I’ve never been in uniform, so it would never occur to me to salute. I think all the hoopla is ridiculous. Be respectful. That’s it. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/106 "2016-08-14T15:55:36Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Yeah, he’s obviously kidding. Jeez. Even if he was serious it was still funny. ---
**Author:** ![Hocus\_Pocus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/41988e/32.png) [@Hocus\_Pocus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hocus_Pocus)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/107 "2016-08-15T18:26:54Z")
I want to add that this isn’t just another playing of the national anthem, just like any baseball or football game. This ceremony occurred immediately after an athlete has won a gold medal & it represents years of hard training, discipline & sacrifice. For most athletes it’s an incredibly emotional moment, and I can understand one not being in their right mind at that moment. But otherwise I would expect the hand to go over the heart. It really ticked me off when I saw Pete Carroll standing on the sidelines during the playing of the national anthem w/o his hand over his heart, and I’m a Seahawks fan. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/108 "2016-08-15T18:30:45Z")
> [@Hocus\_Pocus](#): > > But otherwise I would expect the hand to go over the heart. It really ticked me off when I saw Pete Carroll standing on the sidelines during the playing of the national anthem w/o his hand over his heart, and I’m a Seahawks fan. Wow, “really ticked off?” Until this thread I didn’t even know hand over heart was a thing. I have never done it, and never will, and I love living in the good ole USA. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/109 "2016-08-15T18:37:08Z")
Demanding gestures of patriotism a as a matter of course from athletes seems way out of line to me especially in a completely commercial situation like the Seahawks guy. I’m glad the general public doesn’t feel free to demand that from me when I’m doing my job. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/110 "2016-08-15T23:01:57Z")
> [@Hocus\_Pocus](#): > > But otherwise I would expect the hand to go over the heart. It really ticked me off when I saw Pete Carroll standing on the sidelines during the playing of the national anthem w/o his hand over his heart, and I’m a Seahawks fan. Why? What does it mean to you when someone puts his hand over his heart during the anthem (or doesn’t)? ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2016, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/111 "2016-08-15T23:14:42Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Demanding gestures of patriotism a as a matter of course from athletes seems way out of line to me especially in a completely commercial situation like the Seahawks guy. I’m glad the general public doesn’t feel free to demand that from me when I’m doing my job. Demanding gestures of patriotism somehow seems un-American to me. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/112 "2016-08-16T03:39:08Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > And again for every veteran walking across the field or throwing a ball. > > Sometimes I will. Sometimes I’m just tired. I’m not making some kind of statement if I sit while a vet walks across the field, it just means I’m tired. 😕 I’ve been googling the hell out of this, and still don’t know what custom this refers to. There’s an element of … football games? baseball games? where a veteran is expected to come on the field and do something and everyone stands up for them? My USA-fu is clearly weak today ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/113 "2016-08-16T03:41:44Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > 😕 > > I’ve been googling the hell out of this, and still don’t know what custom this refers to. There’s an element of … football games? baseball games? where a veteran is expected to come on the field and do something and everyone stands up for them? > > My USA-fu is clearly weak today Tributes to serviceman at American sporting events has become fairly usual in the past decade or so. [Here’s a Washington Post article](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/military-tributes-at-baseball-games-true-honors-or-hollow-gestures/2015/05/23/3dc36364-0154-11e5-833c-a2de05b6b2a4_story.html) about it. ---
**Author:** ![Hocus\_Pocus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/41988e/32.png) [@Hocus\_Pocus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hocus_Pocus)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/114 "2016-08-16T07:19:04Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > Demanding gestures of patriotism somehow seems un-American to me. I’m not demanding anything. I agree that one has the freedom to stand & do nothing. I’m just observing that one appears to be an ingrate when they fail to salute the flag during the National Anthem. ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/115 "2016-08-16T07:44:56Z")
> [@Hocus\_Pocus](#): > > I’m not demanding anything. I agree that one has the freedom to stand & do nothing. > > I’m just observing that one appears to be an ingrate when they fail to salute the flag during the National Anthem. I was agreeing with you. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/116 "2016-08-16T11:40:08Z")
> [@Hocus\_Pocus](#): > > I’m not demanding anything. I agree that one has the freedom to stand & do nothing. > > I’m just observing that one appears to be an ingrate when they fail to salute the flag during the National Anthem. That looks pretty much like a demand to me. You’re expecting that someone will do it, or you will think less of him or her. Public displays of patriotic expression shouldn’t be expected from athletes or anyone else engaging in their profession. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/117 "2016-08-16T13:05:39Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Tributes to serviceman at American sporting events has become fairly usual in the past decade or so. [Here’s a Washington Post article](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/military-tributes-at-baseball-games-true-honors-or-hollow-gestures/2015/05/23/3dc36364-0154-11e5-833c-a2de05b6b2a4_story.html) about it. Thanks. I notice Australian athletes seem to be starting to pick up the ‘hand over the heart’ thing and I must say I wish they wouldn’t - I don’t much like the Obligatory Moment of Patriotism thing. Though I guess if anyone has cause to be grateful to their country, it’s probably Olympic athletes. ---
**Author:** ![Hocus\_Pocus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/41988e/32.png) [@Hocus\_Pocus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hocus_Pocus)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/118 "2016-08-16T15:50:04Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > That looks pretty much like a demand to me. You’re expecting that someone will do it, or you will think less of him or her. Public displays of patriotic expression shouldn’t be expected from athletes or anyone else engaging in their profession. If I was demanding I would have suggested that a law be enacted prohibiting the omission of saluting the flag with a penalty attached. Do you think that people shouldn’t have the freedom to have their own opinions regarding the actions of others? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/119 "2016-08-16T15:54:24Z")
> [@Hocus\_Pocus](#): > > If I was demanding I would have suggested that a law be enacted prohibiting the omission of saluting the flag with a penalty attached. > > Do you think that people shouldn’t have the freedom to have their own opinions regarding the actions of others? I’m still not clear on exactly what you think it means when someone puts their hand over their heart during the anthem. You call people who don’t “ingrates”, so I assume you mean it shows gratitude. To whom? And how? Gratitude to the founding fathers? The current government? Your fellow Americans? Gratitude for what specifically? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489/120 "2016-08-16T16:06:12Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > I’m still not clear on exactly what you think it means when someone puts their hand over their heart during the anthem. You call people who don’t “ingrates”, so I assume you mean it shows gratitude. To whom? And how? Gratitude to the founding fathers? The current government? Your fellow Americans? Gratitude for what specifically? It’s really as simple as “USA! USA! USA!” Don’t overthink it. It’s funny though, I’m fine with the convention that you stand and take off your baseball cap for the song, but anything more than that rubs me the wrong way. I’ don’t know why I’m in the “you should stand” camp but not in the “you should put your hand over your heart” camp. I guess it just crosses a line for me, from respect to creepy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-american-gold-medlaists-not-saluting-the-flag-during-the-anthem/762489.md?page=7)