Barstool Sports

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — It is a controversial move by the organization that oversees local high school hockey.  With ice time so expensive, and in order to keep the games running on time, the league commissioner has suggested doing away with the National Anthem. And the resulting backlash has been fierce.  Playing the National Anthem is as much a part of sporting events as hot dogs and yelling at the officials.But PIHL Commissioner Ed Sam sent out an email to the 183 high school teams in Central and Western Pennsylvania saying the singing of the National Anthem is not permitted.  “The National Anthem should not be played only because of time constrains,” said Sam.  High school hockey must rent the ice time, so every game is carefully timed to get as many in as possible in the shortest amount of time.  “Ice is very, very hard to get and it’s not cheap,” said Sam. “We’re talking $300 an hour sometimes or even higher than that.”

The story isn’t over though; Sam says because of the backlash they’ve been getting, they’re going to have another meeting. They’re going to talk about it and see if they can make some adjustments to put the Nation Anthem back into the games.

How funny is it that these guys were completely shocked by the backlash they got?  For banning the National Anthem before games?  And sending out the email practically ON Veteran’s Day?  Umm hello? (Herm Edwards voice).   Listen I don’t care how much sense it makes.  I don’t care if it’s costing you a fortune.  I don’t care if it’s the most practical decision you could make and it’s going to save like an entire school district financially.  You just don’t ban the National Anthem in America without getting destroyed by the public.  You don’t.  Anybody with half a brain knows that.   Ban time between periods, keep a running clock, do something, anything that doesn’t involve spitting in ‘Murica’s face.    Plus how long is the National Anthem?  Like 1 minute and 45 seconds?  That’s a rhetorical question, I know for a fact it’s right around 1:45 because I bet the over every year at the Super Bowl and always lose.  Every year like clockwork.  Fuck you Kelly Clarkson.