76ers Apologize to Sevyn Streeter for Not Letting Her Sing National Anthem

After preventing Sevyn Streeter from performing the national anthem at their NBA regular-season home opener Wednesday because she was wearing a "We Matter" jersey, the Philadelphia 76ers apologized Friday.

According to Kyle Scott of Crossing Broad, the Sixers released the following statement and invited Streeter back to perform the anthem at a future game:

"We thought that was the best decision," 76ers forward Gerald Henderson said, per Jessica Camerato of CSN Philly. "We felt like she should have been able to sing."

Streeter explained what happened in a video, which she posted on Twitter:

Per ESPN.com, Streeter said she wasn't given any guidelines with regard to what she could or couldn't wear: "I'd say two minutes before we were about to walk out...the organization told me that I could not wear my shirt while singing the national anthem at their game. I was never given any kind of dress code. I was never asked beforehand to show my wardrobe."

Streeter was replaced by a 76ers dance team member, and Philadelphia went on to lose 103-97 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Anthem statements and protests have become commonplace since San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first decided to kneel during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the start of a preseason game in August.

According to ESPN.com, Streeter was hoping to create awareness with her performance: "I also felt it was important to express the ongoing challenges and ongoing injustice we face as a black community within the United States of America—that's very important to me. Yes, we live in the greatest country in the world, but there are issues that we cannot ignore. This can't be ignored."

Per Jan Carabeo of CBS Philly, a source said the contract Streeter signed prior to the anthem prohibited her from making political statements.

Streeter has yet to respond publicly to the 76ers' offer to sing at a game of her choice.

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