Memphis basketball forward Lance Thomas has a right to free speech, Laird Veatch, U of M athletic director said Thursday, and the school will support the player’s rights.

Veatch made the comments during 92.9 FM’s Geoff Calkins Show, following a tweet from Thomas a day earlier. 

Calkins: Lance Thomas may choose to sit for the national anthem — and it’s not hard to understand why

Thomas tweeted Wednesday that he may choose to not honor the country in the traditional fashion before games, standing in line with players during the national anthem. The tweet came as protests against the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody gained increased scrutiny.

“Not even going to lie,” he wrote. “I’m never pledging allegiance to the American Flag before any of my games or anywhere I’m at ever again. I refuse to pledge allegiance to a country that practices killing black people for sport.”

He later deleted the tweet, noting, “To anyone who took any offense to my tweet that wasn’t the intention at all but let’s take a look at the injustice at hand.” He also wrote later that someone made him take the tweet down.

It’s unclear if that person works for the university.

George Floyd protest shuts down Union

“I have not had, unfortunately, the opportunity to effectively communicate with Penny (Hardaway) or Lance on this topic yet,” Veatch said Thursday on the radio. “I know there has been a lot of reporting out this morning.

“At this point I would say that we are going to support Lance’s right and all of our student’s rights for free speech. More importantly, right now, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to support and listen to Lance and everybody that’s impacted by racial injustice in this country.

“It’s a very difficult time. I recognize that. I know we all do, but we will have an opportunity to communicate effectively about that in the future.”

Coach Penny Hardaway has not yet issued a statement on the matter but in the past has been active in speaking against racial injustice.