American-born NHL star Auston Matthews made it clear Monday he has no intentions of protesting the national anthem during the upcoming season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward spoke with the media, and said the following:
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. 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 dishonor to the men and women who fight for that flag, fight for the U.S.
Auston Matthews well-spoken today on political climate in the . Supports athletes speaking out, but wouldn’t kneel himself during anthem pic.twitter.com/cG1YrW15hw
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) September 25, 2017
Auston Matthews says he isn’t the type to kneel during an anthem. Says he considers it a “dishonour” to those who “fight for that flag.”
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) September 25, 2017
I will be absolutely shocked if protesting the national anthem becomes a trend in the NHL. The league has shown no sign of being the least bit interested in participating, and given the fact lots of the athletes are foreign, I find it hard to believe we should expect a lot of protesting.
WATCH THE STEELERS STAY IN THE LOCKER ROOM FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM: