Flyers cut ties with Kate Smith, remove statue outside stadium

The Philadelphia Flyers have removed a statue of Kate Smith from outside the team’s arena following allegations of racism against the late singer, team officials said.

The removal of the statue ends the team’s “long and popular relationship” with Smith, whose version of “God Bless America” had been part of the team’s game presentations since 1969 when a team executive ordered her rendition to be played instead of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

She later performed the song several times before games during the 1970s, including Game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup final against Boston.

The decision follows allegations of racism in connection with some of Smith’s songs, including a 1939 tune called…