Matthews supports protest, might not join in himself
LANCE HORNBY
American-born Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has no thought of participating in a protest during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner.
But, he was wrestling with the entire question along with many Leafs, American and Canadianborn, who as pro athletes are being asked their take on what NFL players did on the weekend in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s hot-button statements on anthem actions and White House visits.
The 20-year Matthews did not dispute athletes have the right to display their feelings, as NFLers did en masse, but he’s not ready to initiate or join in such should NHLers become the next group of pros to join the silent snub during anthems.
Matthews’s mother was born in Mexico and thus he likely has a personal feelings with some of Trump’s policies, but he also holds dear his family’s military history.
“My great uncle served, I have friends and family who’ve served, there’s men and women who have risked their lives for the U.S., people who have died for the U.S.,” Matthews said Monday. “To me, I don’t know if kneeling, sitting, stretching is something I’d really look into doing because to me it’s like a dishonour to the men and women who fight for that flag, fight for the U.S. I don’t think I’d be one of the people to take part in that.”
But, he made it clear he wasn’t trying to shut down those with opposing views.
“Isn’t that one of the (Constitutional) amendments, you have the right to say whatever you want? Some people have took this time to send a message, make a statement. It’s their opinion, they’re allowed to. You see it all the time (pro sports’ impact on life). I’m not a huge politics guy, but there is stuff going on that is hard to miss.”
New Leaf defenceman Ron Hainsey, who played for the Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins last season and could be joining them at the White House after the club accepted Trump’s invite, was not commenting Monday.
Matthews has said there was too much going on in his hectic rookie season with changes of address and the like that he didn’t get the paperwork done to vote last November in his first presidential election. Fellow Americans Connor Carrick and James van Riemsdyk also didn’t get their absentee ballots in, which van Riemsdyk now regrets.
“I didn’t do a good enough job of being prepared, being in Canada during the election,” van Riemsdyk said. “Your role as a citizen is to vote, so I’m definitely disappointed in myself and it will be the last time that happens. It’s important to have your voice heard.”
Van Riemsdyk said it has become harder for athletes not to get involved in the so-called real world.
“We’re in a unique position to have an influence with things we do and say. There are some issues going around and some divisiveness spread around.
“Everyone’s perspective is in how they’ve grown up. Their world views are different based on different things, where you’re from and different family stuff. It’s easy to sit here and cherry pick what other people are doing and take issue with it, but the great thing about the U.S. is you have the freedom to speak your mind and do certain things.
“There seems to by a lot of toxicity, people throughout this whole process are very much (polarized). One half will be unhappy. It’s unfortunate, but at times like this it’s about citizens coming together and supporting one another.”
Van Riemsdyk said he saw countryman Blake Wheeler’s highly publicized tweet critical of Trump and thought the Winnipeg Jet “had a good point,” but says he’d find it hard not to accept an invitation to the White House should his team ever be extended one.
“The great thing about our country is that you have the right not to go if you don’t want to. For me personally, no matter who is in that office and whether you agree or disagree, the honour of getting to go is pretty special, especially getting to share it with all your teammates. But I respect people might choose to do something different.”
Canadian-born Nazem Kadri said protest actions by athletes should a matter of unity.
“If the whole team decides to do it, they should,” he said. “The NHL, NFL, baseball, basketball, it’s all about team bonding and team values. I’d like to see if one person does it, than everybody does it (and vice-versa.)
“As an athlete, you want to make a difference, influence things in a positive way. A lot of us are role models. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself to realize the impact you have on young people and the outside world and how many look up to you.”
Kadri added he liked the tradition of the anthem still being played before a game.
“I like representing our countries and we live in the best country in the world. Sometimes we take for granted how good we have it in Canada. I love standing for our anthem and I’d do it every single game.”