NBC: “Intent” to show “the patriotism” of US Open at “our nation's capital”

NBC Sports, which broadcasted coverage of the U.S. Open, had an opening feature showing a patriotic segment with elementary school children saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

In the segment, NBC controversially edited out the words Under God while showing the pledge being said. In fact, NBC left out the words twice in the same segment since the pledge was shown twice.

Other words left out include indivisible and one nation.

Reaction to the NBC's cut came from all quarters of the country including on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and talk radio.

NBC issued the following apology through host Dan Hicks who was covering the U.S. Open:

It was our intent to begin the coverage of this U.S. Open championship with a feature that captured the patriotism of our national championship being held in our nation's capital for the third time, Hicks said.

Regrettably, a portion of the Pledge of Allegiance that was in that feature was edited out. It was not done to upset anyone, and we'd like to apologize to those of you who were offended by it.

The U.S. Open was held at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. The golf major was won by Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy in record-breaking fashion.

To view the article on McIlroy's 8-stroke win: click here

What are your thoughts on NBC's apology? What do you think about NBC editing out the word Under God?

Here is a video of the controversial segment: