One of the NHL's few black players has decided not to kneel during the American national anthem this season.
San Jose Sharks forward Joel Ward released a statement Thursday on Twitter, stating that, though he supports those who have knelt during the anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality, he won't do so himself.
"Although I fully support those who before me have taken the lead in bringing awareness to these issues, I will not kneel during the national anthem like my brothers have done," he wrote.
In Ward's statement, he opens up about the racism he's experienced.
"As a black man, I have experienced racism both inside and outside of the sporting world. I have been pulled over by law enforcement for no reason. I have been looked at suspiciously because of the color of my skin."
In spite of this, Ward feels "the original message" has been lost, and the focus has shifted to the act of kneeling, rather than what it stands for.
What the Toronto, Ontario native truly wants is for society to move forward on this highly debated issue.
"We need to be working on bridging the gap between people of all color, and between law enforcement and minorities," he wrote. "How can we be a part of the solution and not part of the problem - or be another distraction from what the real issues are?
"If we spend more time talking about these real issues instead of the actions that are taking place in an attempt to raise awareness about them, we will be a much richer and stronger society."
As a 10-year NHL veteran, and a minority in the league, Ward's voice certainly speaks louder than most.
