Social Media Outraged After Gabby Douglas Doesn't Put Hand Over Heart During National Anthem
RIO DE JANEIRO (CBSNewYork) -- Several people took to Twitter to take Gabby Douglas to task for not putting her hand over her heart during the national anthem after the U.S. women's gymnastics team captured the gold at the Olympics.
Douglas had her hands to her side while the rest of her teammates placed their hands over their hearts as "The Star-Spangled Banner" played.
While it may have seemed innocuous, many vented their outrage on Twitter, claiming Douglas was being disrespectful.
Gabby Douglas just standing there and not placing her hand over her heart while our anthem played was UN-olympic. #respect #rio2016
— Dawn M. Wisdom (@Favreforever) August 9, 2016
Gabby Douglas refused to place her hand over her heart during the medal ceremony. Straight disrespect! #gabbydouglas #TeamUSAgymnastics
— Hurtstrain (@thatguydrums) August 9, 2016
How dare Gabby Douglas not put her hand on her heart for the American National Anthem!!!!
— Bryan (@RealBryanIV) August 9, 2016
However, others felt it was not that big of a deal.
Gotta love the fake white outrage over Gabby Douglas not placing her hand over her heart during the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/GVdyRxS4ul
— Black Survival (@b_epic84) August 9, 2016
Yall really mad at Gabby Douglas for not placing her hand over her heart! NEWSFLASH! She isnt the 1st to not do it and wont be the last!
— Yana. (@yanab0015) August 9, 2016
Following the social media criticism, Douglas took to Twitter to say she "never meant any disrespect."
"In response to a few tweets I saw tonight, I always stand at attention out of respect for our country whenever the national anthem is played. I never meant any disrespect and apologize if I offended anyone. I'm so overwhelmed at what our team accomplished today and overjoyed that we were able to bring home another gold for our country!" Douglas tweeted.
#GoUSA❗️ #TeamUSA❗️ #FinalFive❗️ ???????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/vzhFZxYOWb
— Gabby Douglas (@gabrielledoug) August 10, 2016
It was the second straight Olympic gold medal for the U.S. women's gymnastics team. Douglas also won the individual all-around gold medal in 2012.