Before the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Saturday night game, forward J.T. Brown raised his fist in a show of solidarity during the national anthem.
This would be the first time in a regular season an NHL player has acted in support of Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protests during the national anthem in the NFL. The protests have been bringing attention to police brutality and racial inequality across the United States. Brown has previously raised his fist during a handful Lightning preseason games.
According to Tampa Bay Times, Brown, one of 30 the black NHL players, said he doesn't think protesting during the national anthem is disrespectful. He was considering this form of protest to bring light to police brutality and inequality for minorities. Brown mentioned that he's unsure of how long he will go on raising his fist during the playing of the national anthem, but the bigger deal was "to keep trying to bring awareness."
"Some will tell you that's disrespecting the military, well I wanted to hear it from someone who is serving, not some person on Twitter," Brown said. "Some thought (kneeling) it was disrespecting, but most felt that we have a right to do it, regardless of whether they agree with you or not, or would stand next to you."
The boycott of the national anthem protest began last year with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's attempt to bring awareness to racial inequality and injustice in the United States.
Source: sbnation.com
