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Metro man with back pains faces backlash for not standing during National Anthem A metro man was kicked out of a Rayo OKC game after he did not stand during the National Anthem. He said he didn’t stand because he was having back pains after helping set up the field before the game. The man said he spoke with an off-duty Yukon police officer, who was said to have become confrontational during their conversation. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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WEBVTT MAN OUT OF THE GAME. REPORTER: IT HAPPENED HERE AT THE YUKON HIGH STADIUM. THE MAN CLAIMS AN OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICER CONFRONTED HIM. EVEN PLACED HIS HANDS ON HIM AFTER HE SAT DOWN DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. >> I DIDN'T DO IT WITH DISRESPECT TO THE UNITED STATES. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY. REPORTER: FRANSICO ESPINOZA SAYS HE HELPED SET UP THE FIELD FOR SUNDAY'S RAYO OKC GAME. AND WHEN HE TOOK HIS SEAT HIS BACK STARTED TO HURT. SO WHEN THE NATIONAL ANTHEM STARTED TO PLAY HE SAYS HE CHOSE TO STAY SEATED. >> I ALWAYS DO RESPECT THE FLAG. AND I ALWAYS STAND UP. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I SIT DOWN. REPORTER: ESPINOZA SAYS WHEN HE GOT UP DURING THE GAME HE CLAIMS AN OFF DUTY YUKON POLICE OFFICER HIRED TO DO SECURITY STOPPED HIM. >> HE WAS LIKE, 'WHY DIDN'T YOU STAND FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM?' REPORTER: ESPINOZA IN THE UNITED STATES FROM CHILE ON A VISA TOLD THE OFFICER THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE TO STAND IF HE DIDN'T WANT TO AND CLAIMS THE OFFICER BECAME CONFRONTATIONAL EVENTUALLY ESCORTING ESPINOZA OUT OF THE STADIUM. >> I WAS SHOCKED . REPORTER: YUKON P.D. WILL NOT COMMENT SAYING THE OFFICER WAS OFF DUTY AT THE TIME. RAYO OKC GAVE US A STATEMENT SAYING THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT COULD NOT COMMENT FURTHER UNTIL THEY GET MORE INFORMATION. >> I'VE BEEN HERE 13 YEARS, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH AN OFFICER LIKE THAT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME AND IT DISAPPOINT ME . REPORTER: I ALSO SPOKE WITH YUKON PUBLIC SCHOOLS SINCE THE RAYO PLAYS AT THEIR STADIUM. THEY TOO ARE AWARE OF THE CLAIMS. THEY ARE LOOKING AT SECURITY