College basketball players knelt during the National Anthem in protest, leading to opposition from Bluefield College president David Olive. Olive warned them to stop or face consequences. When they continued to kneel, he suspended multiple players, causing the team to forfeit a game.

Olive explained that he opposed kneeling during the anthem because it could be seen as disrespectful by some and divisive. He emphasized that the college’s message should bring people together to address racial injustice.

Player Jewels Gray claimed that administrators initially supported kneeling but later changed their stance. Gray criticized the conflicting messages from the college administration.

In conclusion, President Olive stands by his decision, asserting that as representatives of the college, the players’ method of protest is divisive and not conducive to addressing racial issues effectively.