Georgia Cheerleaders Who Kneeled During National Anthem Didn’t Make This Year’s State University Squad

Four Black Kennesaw State University cheerleaders didn’t make their squad this year after they chose to kneel during the national anthem.

Last year, five cheerleaders kneeled during their team’s home game attracting attention from their school. Their actions led to them being banned from the pregame routine. However, Georgia’s attorney general said kneeling during the National Anthem was okay to do as long as it wasn’t disruptive, according to Vibe.com

One of the young women who kneeled believes the reason she didn’t make the team was because she chose to exercise her rights. “I think it played a role because I know my skills, and I had the skills two years prior to that, so I know what I can do,” she said, according to WXIA. “I know the people who made it. I know their skills and I know my skills. But I don’t think it was a skills-based thing. Not to say I’m amazing or anything, but I know my skills and what I had.”

One of the kneelers who did make the squad said this year was extremely competitive. “The school said it had just 61 applicants for the squad in 2017,” writes the AJC. “That jumped to more than 95 applicants this year, creating more competition for the 52 available spots on the roster. Of those who tried out, 33 prospective cheerleaders did not make this year’s squad, seven of whom were on the team last year.”