In a recent turn of events, Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana has voiced his criticism towards Kim Mulkey and the LSU women's basketball team for their absence during the national anthem at Monday's Elite Eight game against Iowa in Albany, New York. The Governor issued a statement on Tuesday, challenging Louisiana lawmakers to implement a policy that would enforce the presence of state's student-athletes for the national anthem.

Governor Landry, while expressing his utmost respect for Coach Mulkey and the sport of women's basketball, emphasized the need to prioritize respect for those who serve to protect and unite the nation under one flag. "My mother coached women's high school basketball during the height of desegregation, no one has a greater respect for the sport and for Coach Mulkey," Landry stated. "However, above respect for that game is a deeper respect for those that serve to protect us and unite us under one flag!"

The Governor proposed that all college boards, including Regent, should put in place a policy mandating student-athletes to be present for the national anthem, or risk losing their athletic scholarships. He called upon collegiate coaches to instill this sense of respect in the athletes.

In response to the buzz surrounding the LSU women's basketball team's absence during the national anthem, Kim Mulkey addressed the issue after Monday's game. She clarified that her team's failure to be on the court during the anthem was not intentional. "Honestly, I don't even know when the anthem was played. We kind of have a routine where we're on the floor and then they come off at the 12-minute mark. I don't know... we come in and we do our pregame stuff. I'm sorry... Listen, that's nothing intentionally done," Mulkey explained.

The absence of the LSU team during the national anthem gained more attention due to the fact that the Iowa team was present on the court for the anthem. It is worth noting that neither the USC nor UConn teams were on the court for the national anthem prior to the other Elite Eight game on Monday night.

As this controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Louisiana lawmakers and collegiate boards will respond to Governor Landry's call for policy implementation regarding the presence of student-athletes during the national anthem.