We hear it before every major game: “The Star Spangled Banner.” Throughout sports history, the national anthem has unified the U.S. in historic moments. It’s also served as a platform to call for change. And right now, athletes are staking their claim on the anthem more than ever, to make history themselves. In a respin of our September episode, we explore the topic with guests Dr. Damion Thomas, sports curator of the National Museum of African American History and Culture; Jon Batiste, musician and band leader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (who performed the national anthem for the NBA’s 2020 restart); and Atlanta Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce.