NHL's 1st black player says league working to fight racism

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“Stay focused,” he said. “Names will never hurt you unless you let them. If people can’t accept you for the individual, you are then that’s their problem. I know it’s hard as I’ve talked to a lot of boys and girls that have had racial slurs directed towards them from not only players on the opposition, but players on their own team and I think it’s just a disgrace to hear players on your own team make racial remarks and racial slurs.”

Willie O’Ree, the NHL’s first black player, has been a trailblazer in the fight against racism. Despite enduring significant racism during his career, he remains hopeful that sports will eventually be free of bigotry.

O’Ree participated in the NHL’s Black History Month Tour, which features a mobile curated museum showcasing the history of black hockey players. He acknowledges that racism persists not only in hockey but also in other sports and general life.

However, he believes that progress is being made, with fines and suspensions now being imposed for racial slurs both on and off the ice1.