Flyers remove Kate Smith statue, won't play her recording of 'God Bless America' amid racism allegation

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- After covering the Kate Smith statue outside the Wells Fargo Center late last week, the Philadelphia Flyers ultimately removed it sometime over the weekend.

The organization has also said it will stop using Smith's recording of "God Bless America" as an allegation of racism against the singer has come to light.

The Flyers provided the following statement to 6abc Friday morning:

Earlier this week, the New York Yankees suspended the use of Smith's recording during the seventh-inning stretch while they investigate.

The New York Daily News reported Thursday there are conflicting claims about Smith's 1939 song "That's Why Darkies Were Born." The song originated in the 1931 Broadway revue "George White's Scandals," and was considered satire. It was recorded by Smith and also by Paul Robeson, who was black.

The Yankees said in a statement:

The Flyers have been using Smith's recording of "God Bless America" since 1969.

According to the team's site, on December 11 of that year, "Flyers vice president Lou Scheinfeld wanted a patriotic song played at the Spectrum, deciding upon a recording of Kate Smith singing 'God Bless America.'"

On October 8, 1987, the Kate Smith statue was officially dedicated prior to the Flyers game vs. the Montreal Canadiens at the Spectrum.

"Smith was enchanted by this flamboyant hockey team that found her rendition of the American folk classic to be a good luck charm," the Flyers' site said.

The Yankees have used her recording and sometimes live singers during the seventh inning since the 2001 terrorist attacks. They used an organ version Wednesday and Thursday.

Smith died in 1986.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.