The National Hockey League was bereft of national anthem player protests as a new season started with one exception: J.T. Brown of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Brown, the son of former N.C. State football star Ted Brown, raised his right fist in a silent protest Saturday as the anthem was played before the Lightning’s game against the Florida Panthers. Brown,standing on the bench with his teammates, was the first NHL player to protest.
J.T Brown, 27, told the Tampa Bay Times he received death threats on social media because of the protest, which he tweeted was done to raise awareness to police brutality, racial injustice and inequality.