Canadians Booed "The Star-Spangled Banner," but Team USA Had the Last Laugh
Montreal, Quebec – San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle had a stern message for Canadian fans after they booed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the puck drop of a 4 Nations Face-Off match against the United States on Saturday.
Booing and Fighting
Canadian fans at the Bell Centre in Montreal voiced their disapproval of the American national anthem, prompting a flurry of fights within the first nine seconds of the game. Matthew Tkachuk squared off against Brandon Hagel, Brady Tkachuk faced Sam Bennett, and J.T. Miller battled Colton Parayko.
Matthew Tkachuk described his fight as "organic," while U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski expressed his disappointment with the booing. "We don’t like it," Werenski said, referring to the trend of anthem booing in NHL games after President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Canada.
Team USA’s Triumph
Despite the hostile crowd, Team USA emerged victorious with a 3-1 win. Kittle and his fellow Americans took to social media to celebrate their victory and condemn the booing. "Don’t boo the anthem!" Kittle wrote on Instagram, along with the final score.
Political Context
The anthem booing has been linked to tensions between Canada and the United States over trade and other issues. President Trump has made several controversial statements about Canada, including suggesting it could become the "51st state."
Motivation for Team USA
Werenski acknowledged that the booing motivated the U.S. team. "We found a way to get a win," he said. "But we had an idea going into it, so it wasn’t a surprise. Definitely don’t like it, though."
Consequences for Booing
The anthem booing has had consequences for Team Canada. In addition to the disapproval of visiting players and fans, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned the practice.
Conclusion
The booing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" in Montreal was a divisive moment that highlighted the political tensions between Canada and the United States. Despite the crowd’s actions, Team USA emerged victorious and sent a message that their patriotism and determination would not be diminished by such acts of disrespect.
