Team USA hockey coach John Tortorella was asked what he would do if one of his players opted to sit or kneel during the national anthem. He responded, “If any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game.” Tortorella, who will be coaching the USA hockey team at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey in Canada, has a son serving in the U.S. Army as a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

In an interview last November, Tortorella said of the U.S. military, “They allow us our freedoms in such a crazy time in our world. We’re blessed to have people that are willing to do that. We’re proud of the group that is doing these things to keep us safe.” Counter these comments with those of San Francisco 49ers coach Chip Kelly when he was asked about his backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the national anthem. Kelly said, “it’s not my right to tell him not to do something.”

One thing is for certain, one of these men better understands the role of a coach. Excusing the behavior of a prima donna backup quarterback by claiming to not have the right as a head coach to tell your players how they are not to behave is flat out ridiculous. But maybe Kelly is somewhat hesitant to standup to his backup quarterback after all the accusations of racism he received over his coaching decisions last year in Philadelphia.

We’re excited to support coach Tortorella as he leads Team USA in hopefully bringing home a world championship. We would also like to express our heartfelt support and sincere appreciation for his son’s service to our country. Go USA!