A North Carolina radio station is dropping the broadcast of East Carolina’s upcoming football game in reaction to last weekend’s protest staged by members of the school’s marching band.
WFAY-AM in Fayetteville announced Tuesday that it would not carry the Pirates’ game at South Florida scheduled for Saturday. The move comes after the school said 19 band members kneeled during the anthem before the game against Central Florida to protest racial injustice and police brutality. Band officials issued an apology Monday.
Colonial Radio Group President and CEO Jeff Andrulonis said sponsors agree with the decision, but he’ll lose advertising revenue.
The band members were following the lead of several NFL players who have kneeled at games, beginning with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who refused to stand for the anthem before preseason games.
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