Holtby launches auction to benefit racial equality causes

After speaking out against racial injustice, Braden Holtby and his wife, Brandi, are putting their words into action.

The Washington Capitals goaltender and his partner launched the "Get Off the Bench for Racial Equality" auction benefitting Black Lives Matter DC and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the club announced Monday.

The Holtbys will donate $5,000 to each organization while matching the money raised in the auction, which is now live. It will run through June 12 at 12 p.m. ET.

Items include jerseys and helmets signed by the netminder and some of his star teammates, such as Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. A piece of wooden artwork depicting and signed by Holtby is also up for sale.

Last week, Holtby authored one of the most powerful anti-racism statements in the hockey world. He lamented the damage the naming of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge has caused to the local black community and said, "America will never be great until all BLACK lives matter."