American Jets support Capt. Wheeler’s assault on Trump bluster

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/09/2017 (2909 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

wfpvideo:bUrvwE8k:wfpvideo

Blake Wheeler says he couldn’t stay silent any longer. And now the Winnipeg Jets captain — by going where no hockey player has gone before — has doubled down on his criticism of U.S. president Donald Trump and triggered political discussion in arenas across North America.

Wheeler, a native of Minnesota, expanded Monday on a pair of weekend tweets in which he spoke out against Trump’s criticism of pro athletes who stage peaceful protests during the American national anthem as part of ongoing concerns over racism and police brutality. On Friday, during a campaign-style rally in Alabama, Trump suggested anyone who takes a knee should be fired, calling them “sons of bitches.”

“I think crossing over into the sports world, it kind of hits home a little bit more. A lot of people, similar to my wife and I, it’s been kind of a slow boil. You know, the rhetoric over and over has kind of gone a little bit too far a few too many times. It just felt right to take a stance,” Wheeler told a throng of media. “There have been a lot of players (who) felt a certain way, one way or another. When you start coming into their territory a little bit, some of the language that he used referencing NFL players, I think that was kinda the last straw for a lot of guys, whichever way they feel about it, to finally voice their opinion.”

The protests started more than a year ago when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand during the anthem as a protest of police treatment of minorities. No team in the NFL has signed him to play this year, and some supporters believe NFL owners are avoiding him because of the controversy.

Wheeler wasn’t a lone voice at the Iceplex Monday. Several teammates weighed in as well, including defenceman Jacob Trouba, who is from Michigan.

“I support what (Wheeler) said; it’s an interesting time in America right now, but it’s important that people talk about it,” Trouba said. “There’s both ways to see it. It’s not easy to take a stand, but it’s important to take a stand. For me, it comes down to the respect aspect. A lot of the stuff that (Trump) has done, is disrespectful to a lot of people on a lot of different levels. It takes a lot of courage to stand up to that. It’s courageous what Blake did and what a lot of athletes are doing.”

Trouba acknowledged there was a time, not very long ago, where athletes typically kept their political opinions to themselves.

“Yeah, but Donald Trump also wasn’t president at that point. For better or for worse, he’s done some controversial things. You can decide if you like them or not. That’s more of a personal choice. But to call a football players son of a bitches and privileged, I don’t think any athlete agrees with that… it’s tough to say that about people. That’s disrespectful and that’s not someone that I like looking up to, and I hope a lot of younger kids don’t look up to that and treat people that way,” said Trouba.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice said he had no issues with his captain speaking publicly.

“Blake Wheeler’s one of the finest men I’ve ever met; I support his right to voice his opinion,” Maurice said. “The simple rule in our locker room is the players get to say whatever they want… they can handle themselves accordingly on that. I think if you want to take a stand and make a point, you should feel free to explain that point if you want.”

Matt Hendricks, who also hails from Minnesota, applauded Wheeler even though he said it’s not the path he would have chosen.

“I’m proud of Blake for sticking up for what he believes in. He has the right to speak freely on that issue and I support him. I support the way he looks at it and his views,” he said. “My view is to stand back and try stay out of it as much as I can.”

Wheeler was asked whether he would support taking a seat, or a knee, during the U.S. anthem, as many other athletes have done in response.

“I’m absolutely for the First Amendment (of the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing the right of free speech and freedom of religion),” he said. “I’m a big believer that that’s what makes America a special place, that you’re allowed to stand up for what you believe in. With just cause, if somebody were electing to do that they would 100 per cent have my support.”

Trouba said it’s important athletes use the privileged position they have to try to make a difference.

“People say you’ve got to respect the flag and I 100 per cent agree with that — a lot of people have fought for that flag and we’re very lucky to live how we do because of that. But at the same time, there’s a lot of people (who) don’t live as comfortable as we do because of some of their choices,” he said. “I don’t think they are getting the same amount of respect as they deserve. It takes people who have the platform and who have a bigger voice to stand up for that and that’s what is going on. It’s interesting and it’s something that’s important that is being talked about,” he said.

Trouba, Hendricks and Michigan native Kyle Connor all said they wouldn’t be protesting during the anthem, but would have no issues if teammates chose to. Winnipeg doesn’t play an American team until Oct. 14 against Carolina.

“For me, that doesn’t mean I don’t agree with what they’re standing up for, but the flag does also represent something for me. It’s different for everyone. For me, it’s important to show respect for those (who came) before you,” said Trouba.

Wheeler said he suspects there are people who believe he should just stick to sports and remain quiet. 

“I anticipate there’s people that don’t agree with me and that’s great… people are going to have different opinions, everyone’s going to stand up for what they believe in. The more people can kind of put themselves in one-another’s shoes and figure out why they feel that way, I think the better that everything gets,” he said.

So should other players follow his lead by speaking up?

“If they feel strongly enough about it, absolutely. I don’t think there should be anyone scared to voice their opinion,” said Wheeler. “I’m not going to advocate for guys to say something or do something that maybe they don’t necessarily care about or have any strong feelings about it one way or the other. There’s obviously been a lot of talk in our locker room about it. We have some American guys (the Jets have 11 on the roster at this point). It’s great, there’s a conversation starting that hasn’t been started or had in a long time.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca