Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Raptors, Canucks fans latest to boo U.S. anthem

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Sunday, 02 February 2025 19:56

TORONTO -- Fans at a Toronto Raptors game continued an emerging trend Sunday of booing the American national anthem at pro sporting events in Canada.

Fans of the NBA's lone Canadian franchise booed the anthem after similar reactions broke out Saturday night at NHL games in Ottawa, Ontario, and Calgary, Alberta, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump made his threat of import tariffs on America's northern neighbor a reality.

After initially cheering for the 15-year-old female singer, fans booed throughout "The Star-Spangled Banner" performance. At the end, mixed boos and cheers could be heard before the crowd erupted in applause for the Canadian anthem, "O Canada."

Fans also booed Sunday night when Agasha Mutesasira began her performance of the American national anthem in Vancouver, British Columbia, where the NHL's Canucks hosted the Detroit Red Wings.

Raptors forward Chris Boucher, a Canadian citizen, was asked after his team's win over the LA Clippers whether he'd ever experienced something like that.

"No, no, no," he said. "But have you ever seen us getting taxed like that?"

Trump declared an economic emergency Saturday in order to place taxes of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on imports from China. Energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas and electricity, would be taxed at a 10% rate.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ordered retaliatory tariffs on goods from America in response.

Joseph Chua, a Toronto resident who was at the game, said he's going to be feeling the tariffs "pretty directly" in his work as an importer.

Still, he said he doesn't think booing is "the right thing to do in this situation." He chose to stay seated instead.

"I have a bunch of American family, friends that live in the states that are Americans, we travel to America all the time, but I thought chanting, 'Canada,' would be a more appropriate stance," said Chua, who was deliberately wearing his red Canada Basketball cap. "Usually I will stand. I've always stood during both anthems. I've taken my hat off to show respect to the American national anthem, but today we're feeling a little bitter about things.

"We were already talking about what businesses are Canadian, specifically, what are American, specifically, what to avoid. When I go grocery shopping, I will definitely be trying to avoid American products and groceries."

U.S. national anthem boos in Canada are rare but not unheard of, especially when tied to world events. In the early 2000s, fans at games in Canada booed to show their disapproval of the U.S.-led war against Iraq.

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, who won an NBA championship with the Raptors in 2019, and coach Tyronn Lue declined to comment on the booing.

Lue, however, sang along to "O Canada." He said he just likes the song.

"I heard it a lot of times being in the playoffs here, so I know it by heart," he said.

Read 57 times

Soccer

Unwell Palmer misses first pen, 100% record ends

Unwell Palmer misses first pen, 100% record ends

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCole Palmer's perfect penalty record came to an end on Sunday when...

Ancelotti blames big teams' struggles on UCL focus

Ancelotti blames big teams' struggles on UCL focus

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti defended Real Madrid's performance in their 2-1 LaL...

United headline 4-team EPL summer series in U.S.

United headline 4-team EPL summer series in U.S.

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Premier League will again stage a four-team Summer Series acros...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: LeBron expected out at least 1-2 weeks

Sources: LeBron expected out at least 1-2 weeks

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLos Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is expected to miss at least o...

Sources: Tucker joining Knicks on 10-day deal

Sources: Tucker joining Knicks on 10-day deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFree agent P.J. Tucker has agreed to sign with the New York Knicks...

Baseball

Twins reliever Ramirez has tear in right shoulder

Twins reliever Ramirez has tear in right shoulder

EmailPrintFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Minnesota Twins right-hander Erasmo Ramirez has a significant tear in...

O's shut down Rodriguez (elbow) for week-plus

O's shut down Rodriguez (elbow) for week-plus

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLAKELAND, Fla. -- Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated