Subban says he’ll ‘never’ kneel in protest

Nashville Predators defenceman P.K. Subban says he will not join athletes who kneel or otherwise protest during the U.S. national anthem.

Yahoo Sports first reported Subban’s comments, confirmed by the team in an email to The Canadian Press.

According to the Yahoo report, during a benefit at a comedy club in Nashville, Subban said he would “never” kneel for “The StarSpangled Banner” because he has too much respect for the American flag. Subban’s comments were sent to Yahoo by witnesses.

Subban, a Canadian, is considered one of the NHL’s most prominent and popular stars and is a black player in a predominantly white league.

Protesting during the U.S. anthem before NFL games has become a divisive issue. The movement started last year with then-San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick refusing to stand for the pre-game anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality in the U.S.

The movement gained momentum among athletes last week when President Donald Trump tore into protesting NFL players, calling them “sons of bitches” who should be fired. More than 200 players protested in various ways during the anthem before last week’s NFL games.

On Sunday, the Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins said they accepted an invitation to visit the White House hours after Trump rescinded an invitation to NBA champion Golden State. The Warriors were uninvited after star guard Stephen Curry said he wouldn’t attend.