I just became a hockey fan

Players at an NHL exhibition match Tuesday all stood in solidarity as the US national anthem played, a stark contrast to NBA and MLB players who have been taking a knee at the start of games.

I just became a hockey fan. pic.twitter.com/1HuZS9yfFr

— Eddie Donovan (@EddieDonovan) July 31, 2020

Footage from Thursday shows Pittsburg Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers players all standing as the anthem plays, setting the league apart from other sports where players have been kneeling for Black Lives Matter and other social justice groups.

“I just became a hockey fan,” one person commented on Twitter.

At the first MLB game of the season last week, players for both the Yankees and Nationals took a knee ahead of the game.

Players from both teams kneel together in unity before tonight's National Anthem. #OpeningDay #NYYforNY pic.twitter.com/ptW2FgfzUe

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 23, 2020

Likewise, New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz players all knelt Thursday during the NBA’s first game of the season.

Every NBA player, coach, and even the refs take a knee during the national anthem.

We are now divided into two countries, one that loves the traditional symbols of America and one that doesn’t.pic.twitter.com/gJy2Ny1fMC

— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) July 30, 2020

Poster Comment:

One player raised a fist. Guess what color he is?