Sandy MaloneIndianapolis, IN – American rock legend John Mellencamp sparked a firestorm of criticism on Sunday after he was photographed sitting down and eating popcorn in his seat while the rest of the stadium stood for the National Anthem at the start of the Indianapolis Colts’ home game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The picture posted to Twitter during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Nov. 20 showed the “Ain’t that America?” singer seated and actively eating popcorn while those around him held their hands to their hearts and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before kickoff, FOX News reported.
Mellencamp, 71, has openly expressed admiration for former National Football League (NFL) quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t been hired to play professional football since he led players in taking a knee on the field during the National Anthem in the 2016-2017 season.
That controversy cost the NFL billions of dollars and millions of viewers, FOX News reported.
The star formerly known as “John Cougar Mellencamp” has publicly supported the Black Lives Matter movement in the past, too.
He appeared on the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in 2018 a few days before Super Bowl LI and took a knee and raised a fist in the air in solidarity with Black Lives Matter after he sang “Easy Target,” FOX News reported.
At the time, Mellencamp blamed then-President Donald Trump for politicizing the then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback’s decision to take a knee.
“Taking the knee started purely and simply as a protest of racial and social injustice,” the singer-songwriter said at the time. “Sadly, it was politicized by the current administration. The song is simple and the protest is pure.”
@dandakich Can we get a comment on John Mellencamp being too lazy to STAND for our National Anthem pic.twitter.com/hsSEGxH5Gd
— mister dent (@mrdent78) November 21, 2022
Mellencamp’s public disrespect for the National Anthem at the NFL game on Sunday didn’t go over well with many on social media.
“Mellencamp is one of America’s Greatest Frauds…always has been,” Outkick 360’s Dan Dakich tweeted in response to the photo.
Many people pointed out Mellencamp’s hypocrisy.
Hey @johnmellencamp That flag you are dishonoring was paid for by the blood of true patriots. It affords you the freedom to be a jerk and sit down while your country’s national anthem is played. Do better. Be better. Stand up! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CKauKWkaLb
— Kenny H (@KenHarrell14) November 21, 2022
John Mellencamp, the renowned singer-songwriter who famously sang "Ain’t That America," was pictured sitting for the national anthem during the Indianapolis Colts-Philadelphia Eagles game Sunday. What a disgrace, every American should shun this traitor.
— RFH1954 (@rfh1954) November 21, 2022
“It’s amazing that a guy that sang songs like that, about the American heartland and how it is to be an American can be now a left-wing puppet and hate America now. It’s astounding how the woke culture has affected these people. Zero courage,” @LesOldham4 tweeted.
Holly Matkin
