Willie O’Ree statue (National Museum of African American History and Culture)
Over the last few days, there have been two historic moments in hockey history that deserve recognition. We begin with the great Willie O’Ree who broke the NHL’s color barrier. He is now enshrined at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in a new exhibition dedicated to instrumental Black athletes.
Willie O’Ree statue at Smithsonian
A beautiful bronze statue commemorating O’Ree’s significance for Black Athletes in the world of sports now resides at the Smithsonian’s “Sports: Leveling the Playing Field” gallery.