NHL fans kneel on social media in support of Black Lives Matter after players didn’t

The pregame festivities over the past week have looked quite different in the NBA compared to the NHL.

Over the past few days, all but one NBA player -- Magic forward Jonathan Isaac -- have kneeled for the national anthem in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Additionally, each player has worn a 'Black Lives Matter' t-shirt over their respective team's warm-up gear.

That hasn't been the case in the NHL, as players have continued to stand for the anthem.

After seeing players refuse to take a knee, several NHL fans have taken to Twitter to post pictures of them kneeling. Fans also started the trend #Kneel4Hockey, showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Today, we as hockey fans need to #Kneel4Hockey if we really want #HockeyIsForEveryone to be true. I love the sport, but work needs to be done to make the game open, accepting, and available to everyone.

Support #BlackLivesMatter and @BlackGirlHockey 🏒 pic.twitter.com/21I4W9Ojld
— Joe Ginley (@JoeGinley) July 31, 2020

If the league won't do it, I will. #BlackLivesMatter #Kneel4Hockey pic.twitter.com/WS2SJIegGD
— Brayden (@Engel_Brayden) July 31, 2020

If the NHL won't, I will #Kneel4Hockey. Join me and donate to @BlackGirlHockey. #HockeyIsForEveryone #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/8TSt1nJ1l1 pic.twitter.com/dWXw81yzUb
— Ian M (@SaskLeafFan) July 31, 2020

I kneel because others won't. I kneel because the NHL has refused to acknowledge the racism and injustices that are so prevalent in hockey culture #Kneel4Hockey #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/jOhW8FxK5r
— From Tape to Tape (@fromtapetotape) July 31, 2020

Kneeling is the lowest bar to clear. If the NHL can't bring themselves to do it, we will. Continue the conversations. There's much work to be done.

We challenge @HilaryKnight and @KendallCoyne to join us. #kneel4hockey @BlackGirlHockey #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/MqxE9VdMDf
— Gal Pal Sports (@GalPalSports) July 31, 2020

These are just a few of thousands of fans that have participated in the trend on social media today.

Kneeling for the national anthem first started in 2016 when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick did so in order to raise awareness of police brutality. Following the death of George Floyd in May, prominent issues in society -- racial inequality and social injustice -- have risen to the forefront of the conversation in America.

While the NBA has done plenty to continue the social justice movement upon its resumption of the season, the NHL has not. And based on the #Kneel4Hockey trend, hockey fans are disappointed.

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