Notre Dame’s Josh Yago delivers the Memorial Day salute during the anthem before the championship lacrosse game
Notre Dame’s Josh Yago delivered one of the best performances of Memorial Day before the NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse tournament had even begun.
Yago, an Air Force graduate and second lieutenant in the US Space Force, stood and saluted during the national anthem before Notre Dame faced Princeton on Monday afternoon in Charlottesville.
It was an amazing time.
Josh Yago of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish has been widely praised for his display of patriotism on Memorial Day before the start of the NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse tournament. (Photos by Larry French/NCAA)
Several of Yago’s videos posted on social media quickly racked up hundreds of thousands of views. “SportsCenter” posted a full video of Yago standing on the Notre Dame sideline in full Fighting Irish gear, hat off, with his right hand raised in salute while the “Star-Spangled Banner” played.
KID ROCK SHARES A NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIAL
On a normal day, it would have been a cool moment.
On Memorial Day? It was perfect.
Yago isn’t just another college athlete shown on camera during the anthem. He spent his first four years at Air Force, became one of the best players in program history, graduated, and transferred to Notre Dame for his final season of college lacrosse.
He is preparing to continue serving the country after his entertainment career.
That made Monday’s song a bit of a hit. A player with a military background, wearing an American flag patch on his jersey, poses in his uniform on Memorial Day before playing for the national championship.
That’s what most American sports fans want to see.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GAMES
Over the years there has been a lot of talk about athletes, the national anthem and patriotism. Most of it is laborious and full of politics. Some athletes are even seen enjoying themselves by making themselves the center of attention when the national anthem is played.
Well, not Iago. He just wanted to honor his country. And he did it perfectly.
Air Force graduate and Space Force major Josh Yago stood at attention and saluted during the anthem before Notre Dame’s NCAA lacrosse championship game against Princeton. (Photos by Caden Gilbert/NCAA/Getty Images)
In fact, it is sad that the athlete simply shows respect during the playing of the national anthem, it is something that needs to be talked about. That used to be the minimum expected. Sadly, sometimes it seems more unusual than disrespectful shows.
USA Lacrosse reported before the championship game that one of Yago’s coaches from the Air Force reminded him to “play for those service members” on Memorial Day weekend. Yago also said that he wants to represent his brothers and sisters in the Air Force, Space Force and all the military.
Then he came out before the biggest game of his college career and backed it up with a patriotic display that quickly went viral on the Internet.
OUTKICK IS NOW ON THE FOX APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Notre Dame ultimately fell short against Princeton, losing 16-9 as the Tigers captured their first national championship since 2001.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate a goal during the Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship. (Photos by Larry French/NCAA/Getty Images)
But Yago still gave college lacrosse fans one of the most memorable shots of the day before the opening whistle.
Salutation during the song.
On Memorial Day.
From a Space Force officer.
USA! USA!
