Buffalo Wild Wings Employee Silences National Anthem on 9/11

“The Star-Spangled Banner” is at the center of controversy again, but not at a football game.

Customers at an Eastvale, California Buffalo Wild Wings said that an employee censored the anthem by muting the sound as it was played before Monday Night Football on September 11th.

When the unidentified employee was asked why the anthem was muted, he answered that it was company policy not to play it.

“No one understood what was so controversial. It’s 9/11, it’s a sporting event, why is it controversial?” a customer who identified herself as Lori said.

Lori took a photo of the employee and shared it on Facebook, prompting a response from the restaurant. She said a manager apologized immediately for the employee’s behavior. Later, he said in a statement that “We do not have a policy regarding this matter.”

Buffalo Wild Wings posted an official statement on its website:

We apologize that Guests at the Eastvale, California location didn’t receive the positive sports viewing experience we strive to provide in all of our restaurants every day. This was the action of one individual and does not reflect our corporate practice. Our intent is to show game broadcasts in their entirety including the National Anthem, post-game interviews, and highlights.