Protest a tough call for Matthews

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 Canadian-born players, who as pro athletes are being asked about 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 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.