Sharks’ Ward is considering anthem protest
‘I’ve experienced a lot of racism myself in hockey,’ says San Jose forward
SAN JOSE, CALIF. — Joel Ward isn’t ruling out the possibility that he could become the first NHL player to join the protests sweeping through the NFL by taking a knee during the national anthem at an upcoming Sharks game.
As one of roughly 30 Black players in the NHL, Ward has first-hand experience with racism. He knows what it’s like to be racially profiled by the police and he’s troubled by the rhetoric being used by U.S. President Donald Trump toward African American protestors in the NFL and NBA.
“It’s definitely something I wouldn’t cross out,” Ward said when asked whether he’d consider taking a knee during the national anthem at an upcoming Sharks game. That could happen as soon as Thursday night when San Jose is in Anaheim for a pre-season date with the Ducks.
“I’ve experienced a lot of racism myself in hockey and on a day-to-day occurrence. I haven’t really sat down to think about it too much yet, but I definitely wouldn’t say no to it.”
Ward, a Canadian player who’s the son of Barbadian immigrants, felt the sting of racism the first time he laced up the skates to play in a youth hockey game as a nine or 10-year-old in Toronto. Kids were calling him names and making racial slurs toward him from the stands.
“I had no clue what the words meant until my parents educated me about what was going on in my surroundings. I was just a kid who fell in love with the game and picked up a hockey stick. I didn’t really look at it as colour,” Ward said. “As I got older and looked across the locker rooms and dressings rooms, I realized I’m the only Black kid in the whole arena.
“I’ve experienced racism as a kid, as an adult. I think I’ll always experience it.”
Racism followed Ward to the NHL and reared its ugly head when he scored a series-clinching goal for Washington in overtime of Game 7 against Boston in 2012. After the game, Ward received death threats from Bruins fans on social media who addressed him with a torrent of racially-charged language.
But the racism that Ward has expe- rienced in his life extends beyond the rink.
Ward, who wears No. 42 as a tribute to Jackie Robinson, sympathizes with the Black Lives Matter movement and the national anthem protests started by Colin Kaepernick in the NFL last season because he’s been the subject of racial profiling by police throughout his life.
“I’ve dealt with it a lot,” Ward said. “I’ve had a few things that have happened to me that you could say are not the norm. I’ve been singled out at different events. I’ve been pulled over. I’ve dealt with racism right to my face.
“It’s just been part of life that you always have to deal with, so when people get into Kaepernick and some of these other guys, saying that they’re disrespecting the flag, it’s not about just that. It’s about creating awareness about what people, like myself, go through on a day-to-day basis, whether it’s going to the mall or whatever.”
But Ward doesn’t see the protests sweeping through hockey like they have in the NFL. The NHL is primarily white, and just 27.2 per cent of its players last season were American born.
But Ward said his status as a Canadian playing in the U.S. wouldn’t deter him from taking a knee during the national anthem.
“I’ve dealt with it on both sides (of the border). It’s just about standing up for what’s right,” he said.
Ward said he’s discussed his dilemma with general manager Doug Wilson, who’s expressed support.
“Doug’s been unbelievable,” Ward said. “He agrees that it’s freedom of speech. Obviously, he’s aware of what’s going on. I’ve let him know how I feel about the whole issue and he’s been open to listening and offering support.”