FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas basketball coach Jimmy Dykes said the six Razorbacks players who kneeled last week during the national anthem will stand for it from here on out. He also announced plans for a new program to initiate dialogue and build trust with the community and law enforcement.
Dykes' announcement comes six days after the players kneeled before an exhibition game in Bud Walton Arena, leading to a backlash on social media and on talk radio across Arkansas.
Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said the university was backing the players, Jordan Danberry, Tatiyana Smith, Kiara Williams, Jailn Mason, Yasmeen Ratliff and Briunna Freeman, all who are black.
The university says the new program, called Project Unify, was brought forward by members of the women's basketball team.