Six Cal softball players were verbally assaulted by supporters at Lamson Park in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Friday while kneeling during the national anthem. The altercation happened before to the Bears’ first of two games versus the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns over three days, which included one six-inning mercy rule final and two ejections.
“Stand up!” supporters yelled frequently during the ESPN Plus broadcast on Friday. “Stand up, California!”
“Liberal wokeness” was shouted many times by the same individual before a slew of boos rained down from the stands at the athletes. The screams appeared to be coming only from men; many ladies in the grandstand, including one dressed in ULL clothing and seated directly next to the man screaming “liberal wokeness,” could be seen waving their hands violently, pleading with them to stop.
After the yelling began, non-kneeling members of the Cal softball team formed a wall behind the kneeling players, and a Cal staffer not in uniform and another player joined in the kneeling. Then the majority of the team started holding hands. After the anthem, the Cal staffer raised their arms to the crowd, begging for more “boos,” before a Cal player placed his arm around them and gently escorted them to the dugout.
Watch the video below:
