NFL
By: Greg Rector
The names of Fritz Pollard (NFL 1920), Earl Lloyd (NBA 1950), and of course Jackie Robinson (MLB 1947) are well known as the men who broke the color barrier in each of their sports professional leagues. That barrier remained in the National Hockey League until 1958, when Willie O’Ree skated onto the ice for the Boston Bruins. O’Ree playing in the NHL was made even more remarkable because there were only six teams in the NHL, and teams only used 16 players plus goaltenders in 1958.
Opportunities were minimal, and most pro hockey players toiled in the American Hockey League or several other leagues for most of their careers. O’Ree was no different as he played for the Quebec Aces in the AHL when Boston called him up. More remarkably than that that O’Ree was playing hockey at all.
Two years earlier, a puck struck him, blinding him in one eye (long before the days of all players wearing helmets and eye shields). He persevered and returned to play 43 games in 1961, scoring four goals and having ten assists. Like Robinson and the others, he endured racist taunts such as “Go back to the South,” and “Why aren’t you picking cotton?” plus words not fit for print.
Take it from T.J. Oshie (@TJOshie77): Willie O’Ree deserves the Congressional Gold Medal. #WillieForTheGold
Contact your members of Congress and ask them to support the Willie O’Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act
https://t.co/zCNC9jGtCh pic.twitter.com/I6IBwURMxY
— NHL (@NHL) March 26, 2021
Mr. O’Ree continued playing until 1974 in the other minor pro leagues. However, it’s not his exploits on the ice as to why I write about him today. No, instead, it’s for what has meant to the game off the ice for decades. You see, Mr. O’Ree introduced hockey to over 130,000 underprivileged children, primarily persons of color, in his many years of community work.
In 1988 the NHL named O’Ree their Diversity Ambassador, and he’s still going strong at it at age 85. His passion for the game he grew up playing in Fredericton, New Brunswick, has never left him. Always a joyful soul, Mr. O’Ree. There are now 26 current black NHL players, 20 from Canada, and six U.S.-born players. He has given back to his sport and communities across the United States and Canada.
It’s his efforts in the United States that I want to focus on now, though. Because of his work, two United States Senators, Senator Tim Scott (South Carolina) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (Michigan), have called for Willie O’Ree to receive one of the nation’s highest honors: the Congressional Gold Medal.
It’s a deserving honor that exemplifies community, dedication, and perseverance. Below you will find a link on how you can help Willie O’Ree be recognized for a lifetime of good work. You can also see the many other members of Congress who are co-sponsoring this effort along with corporations.
You can also help by simply tweeting or posting on Instagram something like this,
Sample: “I’m writing to ask you to support the Willie O’Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act (S.452 and H.R.2249) to honor the NHL’s first Black player for his historic contributions and service to others. I believe Willie deserves this honor because ___________”
Calling your elected members of Congress will also help Mr. O’Ree be recognized as he should be.
https://www.nhl.com/community/oree/goldmedal
Thank you,
Nuts And Bolts Sports
