Sep 28, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Allen Lazard (5) carries the ball as Texas Longhorns defensive back Holton Hill (5) grabs his mask during the third quarter at Jack Trice Stadium. Texas beat Iowa State 17 to 7. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
AMES — Iowa State wide receiver Allen Lazard had a lot more than football on his mind leading up to the Cyclones’ game against Texas. The senior from Urbandale found himself squarely in the middle of a discussion that split Cyclone fans — much like it has the rest of our country over the last week and a half.
Lazard reacted strongly to a speech made by President Donald Trump last week that called for the firing of NFL players who kneel to protest social injustice and inequality during the national anthem.
On Thursday night, the Iowa State star made a statement by carrying the American flag onto the field before the game and was apologetic for the wording of his tweet after it.
“I just wanted to show everyone that I don’t want to disrespect the flag or anything it represents at all,” Lazard said. “My word choice was very poor. It was something that I made an irrational decision straight off my emotions and I shouldn’t have done that. I’m not very happy with myself, but I put myself out there. I twas very selfish of me just because I’m making myself the attention instead of the tea and drawing that attention is not a team player.”
I asked Allen Lazard about his tweet, and the intentions behind it. His response is worth your time pic.twitter.com/pDx9zcZHVV
— Michael Admire (@Admire_OnAir) September 29, 2017
Lazard caught five passes for 63 yards during Iowa State’s 17-7 loss to the Longhorns. He, nor any of his Cyclone teammates, made any form of protest similar to what a number of players at football’s highest level have done.
Now, Lazard can put the discussion created by his comments behind him and move forward, but that does not mean he will not stand by his words.
“As far as the comments,” Lazard said. “I was just hurt by what our President said and I was always taught to stand up for what I believe in and what is right so I just want to go out there and being in the position I am I feel like it’s my responsibility to let others know that what’s going on is not okay and corrections need to be made. I stand behind what I said that’s why I carried out the flag. The military and what the flag stands for means everything to me. That’s why I played in the U.S. Army All-American game, because I love the Army and what they stand for. If I could, my dream job would be to be in the Secret Service. I really just appreciate the loyalty and the sacrifice those guys really make.”
