A courageous act from Tampa Bay Lightning JT Brown.
Prior to action Saturday night, the Lightning Winger raised his fist during the national anthem in response to police brutality and racism. Brown has done this before in preseason games, however this marks the first time any form of protest has occurred during a regular season game in the NHL.
Brown is approximately one of thirty black players in the league. Before choosing a course of action, he spoke with several current members of the military.
“Some will tell you that’s disrespecting the military,” Brown said. “Well, I wanted to hear it from someone who is serving, not some person on Twitter. Some thought (kneeling) 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.”
Brown is active in the community, serving as a mentor to at-risk kids in the team’s Guide the Thunder program. He also donated $1,500 toward removing a Confederate statue from downtown Tampa.
Major kudos to JT Brown for standing up to racism and serving as a role model to kids.
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