Colin Kaepernick’s protest of police brutality and racial injustice, which began with kneeling during the national anthem, sparked widespread attention. While many support his cause, others, particularly those with strong patriotic sentiments, view the act as disrespectful to the U.S. flag and military. The Monroe High School football team decided to join the protest, with several players kneeling during the anthem at a game. This prompted a strong response from two referees, Ernie Lunardelli (54) and his son Anthony Lunardelli (27), who walked off the field in protest, unwilling to continue officiating a game they felt disrespected the country.

Ernie Lunardelli expressed his anger, stating he could not condone disrespect towards the flag or military, although he acknowledged everyone’s right to protest. He was particularly upset that the protest took place during the anthem, a moment he believed should be reserved for football. Before the game, he had warned league officials that he would quit if any players knelt, and he followed through when they did. After the Lunardellis left, two cadets replaced them on the chain crew, but Ernie disputed the game’s validity, arguing it wasn’t properly officiated. He vowed to challenge the game’s legitimacy with legal support, stating he wouldn’t be run out of town over the incident.

“I have a lawyer already set up because they’re not going to run me out of town, they can not do that” Ernie said.