The Titans and Seahawks decided to stay in their respective locker rooms during the national anthem before yesterday’s game, with Tennessee declaring the gesture a display of unity. But according to Jessie James Decker, wife of Titans wide receiver Eric Decker, that unity wasn’t absolute: She claims that her husband did not know what was going on and had the decision to stay in the locker room “made for him.”
“My husband was not made aware it was time to go out for the game. Unfortunately a decision was made for him without him knowing,” she told TMZ.
Considering that the Titans and Seahawks jointly announced their intent to stay in their locker rooms for the anthem more than an hour before the game, that claim seems a little suspect. Tennessee coach Mike Mularkey said that the decision was made by the players, which makes it seem that even if Decker didn’t agree with the decision, he should have at least been aware of what was happening and able to make his own choices. (Not to mention the fact that he should have known, uh, what time the game was starting?)
At any rate, Jessie James Decker went on to share on Instagram what the national anthem means to her, complete with a Forrest Gump reference. Her husband commented, “Preach, baby.”