DECATUR – Millikin University student and football team member Connor Brewer was featured in Fox News commentator Todd Starnes national column Monday, dubbing Brewer an "American patriot" for standing alone.
It all started when several members of Millikin University's football team followed National Football League quarterback Colin Kaepernick's example last month and protest-kneeled or sat during the playing of the National Anthem, local Decatur residents weren't happy.
So rather than create more furor, Saturday the team decided they would stay in the locker room while their fans listened to "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the game commenced.
“Rather than have our message be misunderstood or misconstrued, we are united in our decision to stay in the locker room until kickoff, during which time we will engage in a moment of reflection to personally recognize the sacrifice of so many and renew our commitment to living up to those most important words: ‘with liberty and justice for all,’” the team wrote in a statement published in the Herald-Review.
“Please let there be no doubt that we have the utmost respect for the sacrifice made by those who served or do serve in our armed forces, including many of our family and friends,” the football team wrote. ‘Therefore, it is our desire to do nothing that could be viewed as disrespectful of their sacrifice.”
Well, the team wasn't as united as said they were. Connor Brewer defied his teammates to pay respect for his country. Starnes writes:
Historians may consider the events of Oct. 16, 2016 as inconsequential, but that would be a shame.
Because it was the day an American citizen considered the cost and chose to defy the anti-American sentiment sweeping across the fruited plain. It was the day Connor Brewer, of Springfield, Illinois, stood resolute.
That young man is an American patriot.
Kudos, Connor. We America lovers stand alongside you.
