Flyers remove Kate Smith statue outside Wells Fargo Center

Where the statue of the late singer Kate Smith once stood at the Sports Complex in South Philadelphia there is now an empty spot with three flowers.
Photo credit Andrew Kramer/KYW Newsradio
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Where the statue of the late singer Kate Smith once stood at the Sports Complex in South Philadelphia there is now an empty spot with three flowers.

The Flyers have removed the statue of Smith outside the Wells Fargo Center days after the team pulled the plug on her rendition of "God Bless America." 

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The good luck tradition was brought to an end because of racist songs Smith performed in the 1930s.

The Flyers issued a statement saying the lyrics and sentiments are "incompatible with the values of our organization and evoke painful and unacceptable themes." 

#Flyers statement on Kate Smith: https://t.co/IkvBKFPGs4 pic.twitter.com/FHQIttpFWJ

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 21, 2019

The Kate Smith statue has been removed from the Sports Complex. All that’s here now where the statue once stood are 3 flowers #KateSmith @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/gwR3fIOzwp

— Andrew Kramer (@Philly_Kramer) April 21, 2019

The statue of Smith has been there since 1987, a year after her death. Smith had performed "God Bless America" before Flyers games in the 70s.

On Sunday afternoon someone left three flowers on the pad at the sports complex where the statue used to stand.