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Local veteran shows support for UK basketball team

Richmond Register - 1/15/2021

Jan. 15—Jennifer Inman was angry.

After the entire University of Kentucky men's basketball team, as well as coach John Calipari, took a knee during the national anthem on Jan. 9 before their 76-58 win against Florida, social media was flooded with negative comments and posts towards the team and coach.

The demonstration by the Wildcats came just two days after a siege of the U.S. Capitol by a mob of President Donald Trump supporters who were contesting the legitimacy of president-elect's Joe Biden's win in the presidential election.

One post about the team's kneeling touched a cord with Inman.

It made her furious.

According to Inman, the post said the basketball players were supposed to play solely for the entertainment of others and the young men's views on the nation or politics were not welcome, nor should they be displayed on the court during the National Anthem.

Inman disagrees.

So much so, she decided to show her support for the team on Thursday in front of her neighbors and friends in Madison County.

Standing alone in front of the Madison County Courthouse, clad head-to-toe in University of Kentucky apparel, Inman held up a sign which read: "This veteran supports the Cats!! Go Big Blue!"

The University of Kentucky fight song blared from her vehicle parked on the street in front of the courthouse.

Inman, a Navy veteran, said she felt compelled to show support for the team and their right to peacefully protest.

"I support them kneeling. They are not disrespecting me as a veteran. It's not what (their protest) was about," she explained.

Inman said she doesn't like how many on social media are "twisting" the team's protest into one against the flag, veterans or the National Anthem.

"I don't appreciate it. People need to realize what exactly they are kneeling for," Inman said.

In turn, others were supportive of Inman's efforts on Thursday.

The veteran said, while standing outside the courthouse, she received more positive feedback from passing cars than negative.

Inman said she didn't want other veterans, who may have been offended by the UK basketball team, to speak for her.

"I'm not offended by it, maybe some veterans are. I'm really disappointed in the people that say (the team) is disrespecting veterans. Especially, the ones that haven't served a day in their life. I speak for me and I support (the team,)" Inman said.

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