<p><strong>To the editor:</strong></p>
<p>To: The Indiana Fever organization, members and players</p>
<p>First let me say that I respect the beliefs, passions and convictions of the ladies on the team. With that said, I believe the manner in which they displayed their commitment to this travesty that is occurring in our country was way out of line.</p>
<p>To dishonor something so precious and important as the national anthem which is all about honoring the sacrifice of the lives lost to defend, secure and protect our freedom, in my opinion is completely unacceptable. If the team wanted to pay tribute to Black Lives Matter, they could have shown their support in a number of ways other than through disrespect of our nation.</p>
<p>Maybe they could have taken a knee at ‘tip off’ or called a time out and taken a knee. Maybe, they could have stayed on the court at half time or even asked the other team to join them.</p>
<p>Maybe even more impactful, they could have gotten together as a team and got involved in the community and displayed their belief in this cause with their actions. At any rate, dishonoring the most important thing in honor of anything else is divisive and disrespectful. I was glad to see the young girls in the ball exchange standing in honor and respect during the national anthem.</p>
<p>I have been a long time Fever fan and I talk all the time about the role models these women are to our youth and the influence they can have on them. I believe they still can but until they realize this giant mistake they have made and the apology they need to make, I will not be purchasing any more Fever memorabilia or season tickets.</p>
<p>My 15-year-old daughter, unprovoked by me, wanted to return the Fever shirt I bought her at Tamika’s last regular season game and honor ceremony because of the display by the team.</p>
<p>The Fever members have the right to take a knee for their conviction because of the blood bought freedom sacrificed by so many for everyone in this country in such a distasteful gesture during a time reserved to honor our nation. I have the same freedom and I choose to stand, not take a knee, for what I believe in. I believe in honoring our flag for which it stands.</p>
<p><p style="text-align: right"><strong>Ron Joyner</strong></p>
<p><p style="text-align: right">former season ticket holder</p>
<p><p style="text-align: right">Greenwood</p>
