HS football ref kneels during national anthem

We've seen plenty of national anthem protests throughout the country this football season, but this might be a first: A high school football referee in North Carolina took a knee during the pre-game national anthem on Friday night.

The protest occurred before a game between Croatan and Southwest high schools. The Jacksonville (N.C.) Daily News reports the protest "[incited] little reaction on the field or in the stands."

The ref, who hasn't been publicly identified, is a paid official. Via the Daily News:

"I just think it's not right to do that at a high school football game, especially for a official paid by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association," N.C. General Assembly Representative Phil Shepard said Saturday."

Thanks to the Jacksonville Daily News for sharing.