Chicago Blackhawks' captain Jonathan Toews has opened up about his feelings towards the recent anthem controversy in the NHL.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, Toews is tired of the endless discussion of who’s kneeling, who might kneel and who has kneeled during the national anthem. Not because he’s offended by the protest, but because the debate has become only about the controversy, not the content.
He opened up about how the anthem controversy has clouded the protest's meaning.
“The conversation has to get past this whole anthem thing and get to where it needs to go — if there’s actually a difference being made in the end, and what changes are actually taking place,” Toews told the Sun-Times. “That’s what I’m more interested in, rather than constantly hearing people talk about, ‘Oh, is he standing or is he sitting?’ The point’s been made a long time ago. Let’s move on to actually doing something that makes a difference.”
Toews has been vocal about his personal passions, including combatting climate change. He’s disappointed that the original message about Kaepernick’s protests — and those that followed — has been all but lost in the controversy over the acts of protest themselves.
“A lot of the guys starting this whole conversation are probably from these areas that are central to the issue that’s being talked about to begin with,” Toews said. “I feel there’s no doubt that there are some major issues that need to be talked about and dealt with. I just feel like the whole anthem thing has taken on a life of its own. Now it’s become the focal point.”
Toews, like San Jose Sharks forward Joel Ward and many others, hope that the focus can shift back to the very real problems that prompted Kaepernick to kneel by himself in the first place.
“I’m sure a lot of players are doing some great work off the field at making that situation better, and educating young kids,” Toews said. “But at the end of the day as players, we all respect the flag, and respect the country, whether it’s Canada or the United States. We respect those who fought for everything we have here. We need to get back to the real conversation and start trying to make a difference.”
