Ever since former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee to protest police brutality, his act has spread like wildfire. Supporters of his cause have joined him, kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness around the issue. However, those who feel patriotic about the flag and pride in the United States military are unhappy with this form of protest, feeling it disrespects America.<\/p>\n
The football team from Monroe High School decided to engage in Kaepernick\u2019s form of protest. Many of the players took a knee during the national anthem before a game. The act prompted the game\u2019s two referees, 54-year-old Ernie Lunardelli and 27-year-old Anthony Lunardelli, to leave the field in protest. They felt they could not stand by and watch the players \u201cdisrespect America\u201d in such a manner.<\/p>\n
Ernie Lunardelli expressed his outrage, telling NJ.com, \u201cI\u2019m not in favor of anyone disrespecting our country, our flag, the armed forces. What they\u2019re doing has nothing to do with the national anthem, and I\u2019m against it, so I decided to walk off the field for them kneeling, and that\u2019s what I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
He further elaborated on his stance, emphasizing that while he recognizes everyone\u2019s right to protest, he doesn\u2019t understand why it needs to happen during the national anthem, a time he believes should be reserved for football. \u201cWhoever is disrespecting that flag and the national anthem, that\u2019s who I have a problem with. It\u2019s not the way I was brought up, and it pisses me off that people are doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ernie had suspected the high school football players might kneel and had previously warned league commissions that he would quit if any players knelt during a game he officiated. True to his word, when the students took a knee, he and his son walked off the field.<\/p>\n
After the Lunardellis exited, they were replaced by two cadets from the chain crew. Ernie questioned the legitimacy of the game following their departure, stating, \u201cThat game should not count now because they did not have the right personnel on the field. These kids weren\u2019t officially carded and trained, so they\u2019re putting the kids in jeopardy. I\u2019m not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ernie is prepared to defend his actions, mentioning, \u201cI have a lawyer already set up because they\u2019re not going to run me out of town.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watch more below\u2026<\/p>\n