Most of Tennessee Lady Volunteers players kneel during national anthem in wake of Capitol riot
Most of Tennessee's women's basketball players opted to kneel during the national anthem before Thursday's home game against Arkansas, a decision senior
Rennia Davis said was "made in the moment."
"We thought that with everything going on -- especially here recently in Washington and everything, that's what we saw fit to do," said Davis, who had 26 points in the Lady Volunteers'
88-73 victory over the No. 13 Razorbacks.
"The people on the team who saw fit to support that, they did. And the ones who didn't, they supported us in a different way."
Junior Rae Burrell, who also scored 26 points in the victory, said the players were inspired by how WNBA players engaged in social activism during their season last summer.
The Tennessee coaching staff did not kneel, and coach Kellie Harper said the players' decision wasn't discussed with the staff. But she supported her players.
"I think a lot of it is just the emotions of what's going on right now and where they are with things," Harper said.
"We were educating each other, ourselves, staff players, our Black players, our white players, our international players -- everybody was educated this summer, and we shared a lot," Harper said. "And it was good for us, because it gave us a really good understanding of the person sitting next to you -- where she's coming from, and what her background is. Those discussions were really good. They were difficult at times, but that's OK."
Harper said she knows some fans will disagree with players' decision, but she is proud of how the players have handled themselves and their emotions.
Lady Vols kneel during anthem after D.C. riot
