Controversy Reaches Canada

Sportswave will not take a side in this controversy or issue a comment as we welcome and respect free speech on any and all issues.

Apparently it’s finally reached Canada and now we are hearing that a Vancouver woman that was invited to sing O Canada before a Seahawks game in Seattle tells the media that “she will take a knee during the American anthem to support protesting NFL players and make a statement about human rights.”

Arielle Tuliao (28) was shocked for the invite from the Seahawks asking her to sing Canada’s National Anthem as part of the team’s celebration honoring Canadian fans that attend Seahawk games.

“They sent me a specific clip of me singing for the (Vancouver) Canucks, which in itself was my original dream,” Tuliao said Friday, the same day she decided she’d be kneeling with players.

She began her singing for pro teams performing at a Vancouver Whitecaps soccer match last year  and said “the opportunity to sing for the Seahawks brought up some conflicting feelings.”

“How do I take a stand without bringing unnecessary drama to my country? I want to honour the Seahawks for celebrating their true north fans but at the same time it’s my job to also stand up for (their) rights, not just as American citizens, but as humans.”

Tuliao said she won’t kneel during the Canadian anthem because that would take away from the Seahawks’ celebration of their growing fan base in Canada.

“But I’m 100 per cent confident that I’ll be kneeling for the American anthem,” she said, adding she’ll also be celebrating her brother’s birthday in Seattle on Sunday as her team takes on the Indianapolis Colts.

Tuliao was initially afraid to wade into a political issue in the U.S. but said she was motivated by conquering her fear of speaking openly about her lifelong battle with depression, for which she finally sought help after hitting rock bottom last year.

This is not the first time that a singer took a knee as most recently former winner of the CMT reality show “Can You Duet” and 2015 runner-up on “The Voice” Meghan Linsey took a knee prior to the Tennessee Titans/Seahawks game is now facing a huge backlash over her stance.

Not too surprising that when asked for comment the Seahawks did not reply or respond to any requests for comment.

On the “home front” at present two CFL clubs, namely the Toronto Argonauts and the Saskatchewan Roughriders have linked arms during the anthem in support their American brethren.

Paul Quirk, a Professor at UBC teaches American politics mentioned “most U.S. citizens seem to be reasonably tolerant of the current protests by sports teams so they’re not likely to take offence to her stance at a football game.”

Recently Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby faced various criticism for supporting his team’s trip to the White House as part of a traditional champions’ visit that saw the US President rescinded an invitation to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

It’ll be interesting to see how the fans re-act to a Canadian singer taking a stand.

Boo, Cheer, Respect or Disrespect – that will be the Thousand Dollar question????