Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba became the first NHL player to kneel during the United States national anthem as an act of solidarity in the fight against racism.
Dumba delivered a moving speech ahead of Saturday's tilt between the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers and took a knee once the anthem began.
"During this pandemic, something unexpected but long overdue occurred. The world woke up to the existence of systematic racism, and how deeply rooted it is within our society," Dumba said.
"Racism is a man-made creation, and all it does is deteriorate from our collective prosperity. Racism is everywhere, and we need to fight against it. On behalf of the NHL and the Hockey Diversity Alliance, we vow and promise to stand up for justice and fight for what is right."
.@matt_dumba spoke on behalf of the Hockey Diversity Alliance before Game 1. pic.twitter.com/nLFwkf2QlD
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) August 1, 2020
Dumba then took a knee with Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse and Chicago Blackhawks netminder Malcolm Subban placing their hand on his shoulders.
Matt Dumba takes a knee#BlackLivesMatter x #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/6ARf5vEkUw
— David Nestico (@davidnestico200) August 1, 2020
Dumba, along with current and former NHLers Evander Kane, Akim Aliu, Trevor Daley, Wayne Simmonds, Chris Stewart, and Joel Ward, created the Hockey Diversity Alliance in June to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey.
The league released a video Saturday with a powerful message from members of the group along with other NHL players and athletes.
“We have the best game in the world, but we also have the game that’s got the most potential to grow.” -@Dreamer_Aliu78 #BlackLivesMatter | #isupportHDA pic.twitter.com/XloKUWtufB
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 1, 2020
Kane criticized the NHL earlier this week for saying the league "has made no effort to support its own Black players."
