NHL Player J.T. Brown Ends National Anthem Protests, Turns to Community Activism Instead

Tampa Bay Lightning player J.T. Brown became the first pro hockey player to join Colin Kaepernick’s protest during the playing of the national anthem. However, now he is ending his protest with an act that might make far more sense than protesting during the anthem.

On Thursday, Brown announced he would no longer be raising a fist during the anthem. Instead, he will invest his time and money working in the community.

The player posted a statement to his Twitter account to alert fans to his new direction:

Brown regurgitated the claim that there is too much “police brutality” and “racial injustice” in Tampa Bay, but at least he is now working to do something concrete as opposed to some showy, but ultimately meaningless, display on the ice.

The player announced several actions he intends to take, including meeting with Tampa Bay police to hear their side of the issues. Brown is also going to work with police to approach the Boys & Girls Club and other organizations to help improve activities and opportunities for inner city kids, as well as fostering a closer working relationship between police and the community.

Brown said he would donate up to 600 game tickets so community groups can help young people attend Lightning games.

“Together we can help teach these kids valuable life lessons and how to play hockey,” Brown said in his statement.

He concluded with an uplifting message:

I understand that this issue cannot be resolved overnight, nor can I do it alone. O a, done raising my first during the national anthem. I am now using this support, opportunity, and platform to call out everyone who agreed or disagreed with me to help by sharing suggestions, continuing respectful conversations, and looking for ways they too can help make a difference in their community.”

At the beginning of October, Brown became the first NHL player to protest during the national anthem. Brown claimed that his actions were not intended to be “disrespectful.”

Brown later complained that he began receiving death threats for his protest.

Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston.