Snowboarder Shaun White has apologized for dragging his country’s flag after winning the gold in the men’s halfpipe at the Olympics.
Shortly after, people took to social media to congratulate him on taking home the gold, but also to chastise him for his carelessness with the flag.
“I totally just screamed when @shaunwhite won gold. (Sorry @ sister). Except now he has the flag on the ground and I am CRINGING. Stop this madness!” wrote Twitter user Mara.
“Hey Shaun White - I appreciate your skills but PICK THE FLAG UP!! The American flag should never touch the ground!! C’mon, kid!!” wrote Twitter user Lonny Kaehn.
In response to the backlash on social media, he said at a news conference on Feb. 14 that he didn’t mean any disrespect and was merely caught up the moment.
“I remember being handed the flag, but I was trying to put my gloves on and hold the flag and get the board,” he said. “So honestly, if there was anything, I definitely didn’t mean any disrespect.”
He said that he has a flag flying on his home and that it is “way up there.”
“So sorry for that,” he added. “But I’m definitely proud, very proud, to be a part of Team USA and being American and to be representing for everyone back home.”
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