76ers Apologize For Preventing Sevyn Streeter From Singing National Anthem In “We Matter” Jersey
The Philadelphia 76ers are apologizing. Not for letting the team Allen Iverson built flirt with tying the worst record ever in the NBA last season, or for continuing their losing ways in their first game this season.
They’ve issued an official apology to R&B/pop singer-songwriter Sevyn Streeter today. Streeter was scheduled to perform the National Anthem at the Sixers’ home opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder this past Wednesday, but the organization canceled her performance once they saw she would be singing in a “We Matter” mesh jersey. Sevyn immediately took to her Twitter to let her fans know what happened and called into NYC radio station Hot 97 to discuss the incident.
Was suppose to sing the anthem at @sixers & @okcthunder game but mins b4 @sixers said I couldn't because I was wearing a "We Matter" jersey pic.twitter.com/wjoJN3rq0r
— Sevyn (@sevyn) October 27, 2016
The Sixers now regret cancelling Streeter’s performance. Their apology reads as follows, via ESPN Senior Writer Ramona Shelburne’s Twitter account:
Statement from 76ers on the Sevyn Streeter's anthem situation pic.twitter.com/7WZZAzCtG5
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 28, 2016
Several athletes and musicians have found ways to protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement recently, and hopefully there are more to come. But it would take a miracle for the Sixers to matter.