Photo: Stan Szeto/USA TODAY Sports
Over the past several days, protesters have taken the streets in major cities in wake of the death of George Floyd. Arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit bill at a convenience store, Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, who kneeled on his neck for over eight minutes on May 25. This has sparked many celebrities and athletes to voice their opinions and thoughts, demand change, and to speak out against racism.
The NHL released a statement late Sunday night saying the league “stands with all those are who are working to achieve a racially just society, and against all those who perpetuate and uphold racism, hatred, bigotry and violence.”
“We stand together knowing there is more to be done,” Monumental Sports & Entertainment said in a statement on Sunday.
Since Floyd’s death, San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane has been very vocal on social media regarding a change. He appeared on ESPN’s First Take last week.
“We need so many more athletes that don’t look like me speaking out about this, having the same amount of outrage that I have inside, and using that to voice their opinion, to voice their frustration. Because that’s the only way it’s going to change. We’ve been outraged for hundreds of years and nothing’s changed. It’s time for guys like Tom Brady and Sidney Crosby and those type of figures to speak up about what is right and, clearly in this case, what is unbelievably wrong. Because that’s the only way we’re going to actually create, unify anger to create that necessary change, especially when you talk about systematic racism.”
His comments have sparked other players and teams to speak out against racism:
From the Sharks
Statement from #SJSharks owner Hasso Plattner. pic.twitter.com/Ulqz4ZBwGm
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 29, 2020
Sharks captain Logan Couture
My thoughts. Sorry if this offends anyone. All love ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9BbktIrxqd
— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) May 30, 2020
Minnesota Wild’s J.T. Brown
I will be donating to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, a nonprofit paying bail for the activists protesting for justice for George Floyd. Use your voice, your money, and your vote to combat racism. Silence is complicity.
— JT Brown (@JTBrown23) May 29, 2020
From the Wild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 28, 2020
Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler
I needed to say something in my own words. pic.twitter.com/VpkidaMjbX
— Blake Wheeler (@BiggieFunke) May 31, 2020
Jets center Mark Scheifele
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly
Let’s all be a part of the change. #UntilWeAllWin pic.twitter.com/VXlW5XxMG7
— morgan rielly (@mriles4) May 30, 2020
Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews
— Auston Matthews (@AM34) June 1, 2020
From the Maple Leafs
Statement From The Toronto Maple Leafs pic.twitter.com/JQcCg4gAUg
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 1, 2020
Nashville Predators center Kyle Turris
I’m going to listen and educate myself. This is a WE problem. This is about human rights. We need to make the world a better place. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
— Kyle Turris (@kyleturris) May 30, 2020
From the Predators
A message from the Nashville Predators and @BrdgstoneArena: pic.twitter.com/ouOR2p3Zqf
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 31, 2020
New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban
🙌🏿❤️🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/un1Nj58jcC
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) May 30, 2020
Devils defenseman Connor Carrick
— Connor Carrick (@connorcarrick) May 31, 2020
From the Devils
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/hDb7ACQQph
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) June 1, 2020
Florida Panthers center Brian Boyle
This…I don’t know this pain. I can’t even imagine this pain. I’ve always had the benefit of the doubt But I can’t say I haven’t seen this before. We all have. The footage, the headlines, the media arguments that follow. What we need to see is change. We need to see it stop https://t.co/HS0iCSslQw
— Brian Boyle (@BriBrows22) May 29, 2020
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Malcolm Subban
— Malcolm Subban (@Subbz3r0) May 31, 2020
Ottawa Senators forward Anthony Duclair
WE all have a voice, use it. Help create an environment where WE can all be treated equally. No matter what your race, religion or belief you may have, you should not stay silent about social inequality. Please spread the word. #JusticeForAll https://t.co/dxfkUwn7E9
— Anthony Duclair (@aduclair10) May 31, 2020
Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar
— Anze Kopitar (@AnzeKopitar) May 31, 2020
From the Kings
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 31, 2020
Montréal Canadiens center Max Domi
Let’s all be part of the change. #UntilWeAllWin 🙏 pic.twitter.com/38CQGkye0a
— Max Domi (@maxdomi) May 29, 2020
From the Canadiens
Déclaration des Canadiens de Montréal
A statement from the Montreal Canadiens pic.twitter.com/6ldXHq6ATP
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 1, 2020
Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Mathieu Joseph
Some thoughts. pic.twitter.com/3WfQZWK1pd
— Mathieu Joseph (@MathJoseph7) May 31, 2020
Former NHL player Akim Aliu, who also wrote a powerful and moving article called “Hockey Is Not For Everyone” for The Players’ Tribune, spoke out as well.
We’re all hurting, centuries of racism and oppression spilling into the streets. Our voices suppressed far too long, now violence seen as our only ally. The voices of ALL must be heard, this fight belongs to EVERYONE. Stop the hate, stop the MURDERING. History will not forget.
— Akim Aliu (@Dreamer_Aliu78) May 29, 2020
From the Colorado Avalanche
— x-Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 1, 2020
From the Vegas Golden Knights
— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 1, 2020
From the New York Islanders
#UnitedAsOne pic.twitter.com/XUmXIanRKf
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 1, 2020
From the Calgary Flames
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) May 31, 2020
From the Arizona Coyotes
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) June 1, 2020
From the Anaheim Ducks
We support the fight against racism and hatred along with peaceful protests to bring awareness to this critical issue in our society. We urge those demonstrating to do so in a non-violent manner, so the focus can remain where it should — on equality all across America. pic.twitter.com/5dCsgc8K7I
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) June 1, 2020
By Della Young
