[2] During a game on February 1, 1972, Yelverton did not participate in pre-game warmups and sat on the bench during the singing on the US national anthem.

Blazers forward Sidney Wicks was accused of playing lackadaisical defense during the game as his protest.

[3][4] Yelverton told the New York Post in 2016 his protest was in response to the Vietnam War and capitalism.

[5] Portland head coach Rolland Todd was fired the next day for failing to handle the situation and Yelverton went on to play 24 more games for the Blazers.

[6] He was waived in September 1972, shortly before the Blazers were scheduled to travel to Hawaii for a pre-season tournament between NBA and ABA teams.