Carli Lloyd, former U.S. women’s national team forward, revealed that she decided not to kneel before her team’s bronze medal match at the Olympics in Tokyo because she had already done it five other times and felt it was enough. In an interview on CBS Sports Golazo Network’s show Kickin’ It, hosted by Kate Abdo, Charlie Davies, Maurice Edu, and Clint Dempsey, Lloyd discussed her choice to stand and explained that it had nothing to do with the national anthem, but rather her desire to focus on the game.
Lloyd acknowledged that her decision to stand sent a message, as she was the only one standing while her teammates kneeled. However, she emphasized that her choice should not be misinterpreted, as she did not disapprove of the anti-racism gesture. Lloyd also discussed her previous experience with Megan Rapinoe kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 and how it had become a distraction for the team.
During the episode, Edu expressed his disappointment with Lloyd’s decision not to kneel, believing that it could have had a more positive impact. Lloyd respected his comment, but the hosts later discussed the attention and empowerment that her decision received, particularly from conservative-leaning media in the United States.
In response to Davies’ question about the importance of taking a knee to show support for marginalized groups, Edu reiterated his belief that Lloyd’s continued kneeling would have been a more meaningful and constructive choice.
