National Basketball Association

76ers players might take action after organization's national anthem decision

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:51 p.m. ET

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Nunzio Ingrassia

Philadelphia 76ers players are mulling whether to take action after the organization cancelled a performance of the national anthem by a singer who was wearing a “We Matter” jersey.

"Everybody expressed their emotions about it," forward Robert Covington said, via the Associated Press. "We want to take steps about it. We just don't know exactly what steps we want to take. We talked about a lot of different things."

Sevyn Streeter, who was scheduled to perform before the team’s season opener Wednesday night, said the organization told her she could not wear the jersey.

"I'd say two minutes before we were about to walk out ... the organization told me that I could not wear my shirt while singing the national anthem at their game," the R&B singer told the AP by phone. "I was never given any kind of dress code. I was never asked beforehand to show my wardrobe."

76ers head coach Brett Brown said the players and coaches have discussed the situation but have not decided what action — if any — they will take.

"We understand the situation and we respect the social issue involved," Brown told reporters Thursday. "We completely get it. As a group, we will try to find a way to deal with this."

The Sixers had a member of their dance team sing in place of Streeter.

The national anthem has become a point of interest since 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first refused to stand in the hope of shedding light on social injustices. Other NFL players have joined Kaepernick's protest.

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