Posted on 10/25/2017 4:10:28 PM PDT by airborne
Addressing the role of protests in hockey during a Q&A with the Los Angeles Kings' Jim Fox this week, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman indicated that most of the league is "basically doing what they believe is correct" and keeping demonstrations during the national anthem away from the rink.
"Our players tend to focus on the games, which is what I think fans want," Bettman said, as transcribed by For The Win's Hemal Jhaveri. "There's lots of places where you can exercise your commitment on either social or political causes, but I don't think people come to games for that. I think the anthem is important, I think showing respect for the White House, the Office of the President is important -- politics aside -- and overwhelmingly, we haven't had to issue an edict. Our players are basically doing what they believe is correct and that is giving our fans and giving their teams focus right on the game itself."
Bettman added that the league still encourages players "to be as socially active and involved as they'd like to be ... before the game, after the game, on their off time."
(Excerpt) Read more at cbssports.com ...
Speaking as a fan who has attended games where both Canadian and American anthems are sung loudly by fans, I think we want to leave politics at the door.
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Add me to the ping list please. Go Ducks!
Isn’t this the same league with the Gay Week festivities?
“These are the things some NHL teams are doing to embrace LGBT fans this month”
https://www.outsports.com/2017/2/17/14649508/nhl-pride-night-hockey-everyone
so much for this hypocrite saying politics should be kept out of the rink..
We don’t want politics. What part of that doesn’t the NFL understand? It’s a simple word: Politics. Poly meaning many and tics are a blood sucking insect.
Is that clown from the Lightning still protesting? I haven’t watched since that first day he did that.
He said he was done with his protesting. I think he mentioned getting death threats.
Gotta love hockey fans!
I just watched the ‘77 movie “Slap Shot” last night.
The fans in that movie would have gutted the first player who took a knee during the Anthem.
What was left after the Hanson Brothers got done with him, that is.
I go to the games to see the game and my favorite player compete. I agree, we don’t need the politics present there. Bettman is right; before the game, after the game and on your off time is the correct time to be a SJW. Not while you are on the clock.
Generally speaking when hockey players standing before anthem they are on the bench so there really isn’t much room to do a knelling. Also, the anthem is kind of a big deal to NHL fans. In Canada the fans often join in singing the anthem and in the US as well if anyone saw the Las Vegas anthem for their opener and of course in Chicago is a real event.
You are now on the Hockey Ping List.
Welcome to the team!
I saw the Penguins play Toronto last November.
We all sang both anthems.
To be there in person for that gave me chills. Thinking of it now still does.
Hockey is so great to see live. TV does not do the sport justice. Maybe when they broadcast in 3D...
BTTT!
It’s unwise to “take a knee” in hockey skates - you’re liable to stab yourself in the butt.
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