Democratic presidential hopeful Tim Ryan wasn’t making a political statement when he failed to put his hand over his heart during the national anthem before Tuesday night’s Democratic presidential debate, his campaign said Wednesday, chalking up the flap to “absentmindedness.”

“Congressman Ryan wasn’t protesting and didn’t mean to make any statement last night in Detroit, it was a moment of absentmindedness while on a debate stage that won’t happen again,” his campaign said in a statement.

Mr. Ryan was the only one of the 10 candidates on stage who didn’t put his hand over his heart.

His campaign said he was singing along with the choir.

“Congressman Ryan loves our country and will continue to honor the flag during the anthem in future events, as he has in countless events in the past,” the campaign said.

Mr. Ryan laughed after the debate when he was told he took online criticism from people such as former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer and television host Meghan McCain.

“I love this country as much as everybody else,” the Ohio Democrat told ABC News. “I put my hand on my heart for the pledge of allegiance. [The] choir was singing, and it was great.”

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other athletes have taken to kneeling during the national anthem before games to protest racial injustice.

Ahead of Tuesday’s debate, former Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas announced that three of his guests would be Michigan high school football players who were disciplined in 2017 for kneeling during the national anthem.

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