# OutKick: ESPN's 'Not Standing Still' Headline Plays Down LeBron James Practicing His Golf Swing During the National Anthem

Trump called James' conduct before his 76ers debut a 'TOTAL DISGRACE.' OutKick's Bobby Burack argues ESPN's wording sanitized what happened. This is a commentary piece.

- Section: [Culture](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/culture/)
- Published: 2026-10-24
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/outkick-espn-headline-lebron-james-golf-swing-national-anthem-trump/

A Fox News OutKick column says ESPN went easy on LeBron James in its headline about President Donald Trump's criticism of him.

What happened. James was shown practicing his golf swing during "The Star-Spangled Banner" before his 76ers debut on Tuesday, writer Bobby Burack says. Later in the week Trump called the conduct a "TOTAL DISGRACE" on social media.

The headline. According to OutKick, ESPN.com ran "Trump criticizes LeBron James for not standing still during the national anthem" on Thursday. Burack calls "not standing still" an "awfully charitable characterization" of someone practicing a golf swing. He argues the wording suggests James' behavior was harmless and Trump's criticism excessive, and says ESPN "must feel it has an obligation to protect James."

The column's case. Burack says that unlike athletes who kneel and explain it as protest, James offered no explanation. He writes that James did the same on Christmas Day last year, and notes James once criticized an NBA executive for backing Hong Kong protesters. He also questions how much James still helps the NBA's brand at 41, saying his basketball legacy is secure but calling him a "net negative." OutKick's piece cites James' 15 points a game through two games this season.

Note for readers: this is opinion from an OutKick writer, and we have not watched the footage. The column does not include a response from James, the 76ers or ESPN, and the characterizations of James and of ESPN's motives are the writer's.

## Source

Original reporting: [Fox News (OutKick, by Bobby Burack)](https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/espn-posts-propagandistic-headline-trump-lebron-national-anthem)