Notre Dame Lacrosse Player’s Salute Resonates on Memorial Day

Before the NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse championship began, Notre Dame’s Josh Yago created a memorable scene on Memorial Day. Yago, a graduate transfer from Air Force and a second lieutenant in the U.S. Space Force, stood at attention and saluted during the national anthem. This occurred just before Notre Dame faced Princeton in Charlottesville.

Yago’s display of patriotism went viral, quickly amassing hundreds of thousands of views across social media platforms. ‘SportsCenter’ shared the full video showing Yago on the sideline, dressed in Notre Dame gear with his helmet off, raising his right hand to salute as ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ played.

On Memorial Day, this sight resonated deeply with viewers. Yago isn’t an average college athlete accidentally caught by cameras during the anthem. He spent four years at Air Force, where he made his mark as one of the program’s top players, graduated, and transferred to Notre Dame for his final lacrosse season. Afterward, he plans to continue his service to the country.

Many American sports fans cherish moments like Yago’s salute. Amid ongoing debates on patriotism and athletes’ roles during the national anthem, Yago focused purely on respecting his country. His actions, grounded in sincerity, struck a notable chord on Memorial Day.

USA Lacrosse highlighted that one of Yago’s mentors urged him to ‘play for those service members’ during the Memorial Day weekend. Yago wanted to honor his comrades from Air Force, Space Force, and the broader military community.

Despite Notre Dame losing 16-9 to Princeton, who claimed their first national championship since 2001, Yago provided a lasting image with his anthem salute. It stood as a poignant tribute on a day of remembrance reflecting his ongoing dedication to service.