Singer Jordin Sparks had some unusual writing on her hand while performing the National Anthem at the Monday Night Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals.
During her performance, she was shown with writing on her left hand that read: ‘PROV 31: 8-9’. The reference is to the Book of Proverbs, which appears in both the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament.
Proverb 31:8 reads: ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.’
Proverb 31: 9 reads: ‘Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.’
People took to Twitter to speculate that the scribble was a silent, though pointed, message to President Donald Trump and others accused of trying to silence social justice movements.
Singer Jordin Sparks is pictured performing the National Anthem before the start of the Monday Night Football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys
On her left hand was written ‘PROV 31: 8-9’. People familiar with the Bible or who simply googled the meaning of the reference to the Book of Proverbs speculated that the writing was a silent repudiation of those who criticize NFL players who take the knee to protest social injustice. One fierce critic is President Donald Trump
Proverb 31:8 reads: ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.’ Proverb 31: 9 reads: ‘Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy’
Steve McCleary wrote: ‘Jordin Sparks. Brilliant move with the scripture. I hope this gets through to all of the conservative Christians who are failing to love.’
User @greatworkbaby tweeted: ‘Jordin Sparks was bringing the biblical heat to critique Trump.’
And Britni Danielle commented: ‘Jordin Sparks dropping that Biblical shade on Trump & those upset over #TakeAKnee.’
At Monday’s football game in Glendale, Arizona, the Dallas Cowboys dropped to one knee for a few seconds before standing up and locking arms to sing the National Anthem.
The team’s owner, Jerry Jones, joined them in their unique display of solidarity with other NFL players who have knelt or sat over the weekend during the national anthem. Coach Jason Garrett also joined.
The team stood with linked arms for the National Anthem. The Arizona Cardinals did the same.
Pictured is the entire Dallas Cowboys team, including its owner Jerry Jones, kneeling with linked arms before the national anthem is sung at the game between the Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona
Pictured is another view of the Dallas Cowboys kneeling with linked arms. The action drew some boos from the crowd
The Cowboys’ display comes after at least 150 players knelt, sat with linked arms, gave black power salutes or simply did not show up for the singing of the national anthem during Sunday’s games.
The action, inaugurated by ex-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick last season, is meant to protest against police treatment of blacks and social injustice.
Two singers who performed the national anthem at Sunday’s football games also took a knee during their performances.
In Detroit, singer Rico Lavelle dropped to his right knee, bowed his head and raised his right fist wrapped around the microphone. He took a knee at the word ‘brave’. The Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons were facing off in Detroit.
In Nashville, ‘The Voice’ runner-up Meghan Linsey took a knee as she finished singing before the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans. The guitarist accompanying her also took a knee.
The Seahawks and Titans didn’t come on the field until after Linsey finished singing. A handful of players stood outside the tunnel.
Donald Trump railed against players who do not stand during the national anthem in a series of tweets and speeches this weekend.
‘That’s a total disrespect of everything that we stand for,’ Trump said, encouraging owners to act. He added: ‘Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired.’
Rico Lavelle took a knee and raised his right fist on the word ‘brave’, towards the end of the anthem he sang at a Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons game
Meghan Linsey, who placed second in season 8 of The Voice, also took a knee, along with her accompanying guitarist, at the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Seattle Seahawks
Donald Trump is pictured greeting the family of a Marine pilot on Sunday. Trump criticized NFL players who do not stand during the national anthem. He said in a speech: ‘Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, you’d say, “Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired”‘
On Saturday, he tweeted a similar sentiment.
‘If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem,’ Trump wrote. ‘If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!’
Upon Trump’s election, Sparks appeared to call for reconciliation.
She wrote on Twitter: ‘I was raised to show respect to everyone, President or not. I’ve prayed for each administration and will continue to pray for the former Presidents & my prayer remains for the 45th.
‘”For God to grant discernment and the wisdom in decisions domestic & abroad and in keeping the country safe & united.
‘To keep music/arts in schools, to continuously uplift the youth for they are the future. And, for compassion, understanding & justice for all.”
‘It may not be the popular thing but it is the right thing. God bless America.’
She previously joked to People about his presidential candidacy. When asked if she had ‘any words of wisdom’ for him in September 2015, she replied: ‘Goodness gracious. Just to make sure he has a good hairdresser so when he has speeches outside, it doesn’t fly off.’
Amid the NFL controversy, Trump’s presidential administration announced that it would prohibit entry of citizens from North Korea to the nation as part of a sweeping new travel ban that also slaps restrictions on Iran, Chad, Libya, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen and Somalia.
The bans and restrictions do not have any time limits; in effect, they are indefinite. They are slated to go into effect on October 18.
Sparks won the sixth season of American Idol back in 2007 at the age of 17. Major hits of hers include ‘Tattoo’ and ‘No Air,’ a duet with Chris Brown.