Dustin Byfuglien addresses John Tortorella’s anthem policy
TORONTO – Debates about protesting the national anthem in sports haven’t dissipated.
Following the lead of Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers, who refused to stand during “The Star-Spangled Banner” to call attention to issues like police brutality affecting minorities in the U.S., other NFL players participated in their own protests last weekend. Heck, even “South Park” addressed it this week.
The controversy hit the NHL when John Tortorella, head coach of Team USA in the World Cup of Hockey, told ESPN that “if any of my players sit on the bench for the national anthem, they will sit there the rest of the game.”
There hasn’t been much public comment on the policy from players, and specifically from African-Americans or black Canadian players who compete in American cities. Defenseman Seth Jones, who plays for Tortorella on the Columbus Blue Jackets, supported his coach’s policy. “I have no problem,” he explained in a radio interview. “You’re not going to see anything from any of us with Torts, so I have no problem with that.”
Forward J.T. Brown of the Tampa Bay Lightning, meanwhile, tweeted “wouldn’t benching a black man for taking a stance only further prove Kap’s point of oppression?” and then followed with a statement that said in part:
“He sees the situation through his reality and I see it through mine, as a black athlete in the NHL. I know I’m not on the United States World Cup roster, but I have had a chance to represent my country on other occasions. My tweet was a hypothetical. What if I took a stance to promote awareness for one of the many injustices still occurring in our country and was punished despite there being no rule or law against it?”
Dustin Byfuglien, the Winnipeg Jets defenseman who is playing for Tortorella in the World Cup on Team USA, hadn’t said much about the anthem policy. He told the Columbus Dispatch that “it is what it is” earlier this month, and that “[Tortorella] can say what he wants. That’s not really our job to do. Torts can say what he wants.”
What does he think of Tortorella’s comments on the anthem protests?
“Everyone has the right to do whatever,” said Byfulgien on Thursday. “Torts will say stuff, but he has the right to do whatever. For the most part, guys will stand and respect the flag.”
But rather than quell protest, Byfuglien said Tortorella’s comments simply indicated that there would be consequences.
“You still do it,” said Byfuglien. “But you take your chances.”
Those were the extent of his comments on a controversy, and a conversation, that continues across the sports landscape.
—
Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
MORE FROM YAHOO SPORTS
