A new proposed bill in Indiana is aiming to hold the Indianapolis Colts financially accountable for fans who became disgruntled when any of the Colts players kneeled for the national anthem.
Introduced by Republican lawmaker Milo Smith, the proposed “purpose” of the legislation is just as tone deaf as the GOP’s continued opposition to the #TakeAKnee movement, which was launched by former NFL star Colin Kaepernick in an effort to raise awareness about social injustice against people of color.
Instead of taking an opportunity to revisit conversations about creating legislation that could possibly help address some of the concerns of the millions of Americans who support the movement, Smith wants to establish a law that would require the Colts organization to refund fans who were offended by players kneeling during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner at NFL games.
“To me when they take a knee during the national anthem, it’s not respecting the national anthem or our country,” Smith said, according to the Washington Post. “Our government isn’t perfect, but it’s still the best country in the world and I think we need to be respectful of it.”
Smith worked closely with Vice President Mike Pence in 2014 when he was still governor of Indiana. Pence made headlines in 2017 after he walked out of a Colts game at the request of Donald Trump, after several players kneeled during the national anthem.
The Colts organization has yet to comment on the proposed bill.