Ryan Reaves, Robin Lehner kneeling for anthem draws reaction
The decisions by Golden Knights players Ryan Reaves and Robin Lehner to kneel during the playing of the national anthems before Monday’s game against the Dallas Stars drew expected attention on Twitter.
Reaves has long been a fan favorite for his physical play and the way he has embraced Las Vegas. Lehner was added in a trade in February and is competing with Marc-Andre Fleury to be the starting goaltender in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Reaction to Reaves
Ryan Reaves just lost a fan. https://t.co/RpOWEb7f44
— Mark Leonard (@MarkLeo99255915) August 4, 2020
So DISAPPOINTED in Ryan Reaves and others that took a knee this is so disrespectful to this country and to the game.
— Rosemary Rice (@ibrarra1) August 4, 2020
Ryan Reaves is teaching YOU, the NHL a lesson https://t.co/N59SqaUP5B
— 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 (@exavierpope) August 4, 2020
Are we all…. Ryan Reaves fans now? https://t.co/LjexI99v6R
— Michael Bailey (@mikebailey97) August 4, 2020
"…families are torn apart in these wars for the freedom of this country only to come back and find out this country isn't free for everybody"
Cheers to you, Ryan Reaves. pic.twitter.com/TY6Lb69NiC
— MarkTheNarwhal (@MarktheNarwhal) August 4, 2020
This is another reason why Ryan Reaves is my favorite hockey player of all time! https://t.co/hXEdZBsXNP
— AltecZz (@AltecZz) August 4, 2020
Not a Ryan Reaves fan by any stretch of the imagination but respect the hell out of him for doing this.
— Gary Poppins (@gojetsgo_17) August 4, 2020
All that said, as much as I appreciate the efforts of Seguin, Dickinson, and Lehner, I'm choosing to refocus my attention back to Ryan Reaves.
Being a black man in this league means his actions come with an extra layer of risk that the others don't face, and I stand with him.
— Master Shake (@cowgirl_bebop) August 4, 2020
still thinking about it and i’m so glad ryan reaves didnt have to kneel alone. the quote about his teammates being uncomfortable kneeling with him was so disheartening, and it made me think he wouldnt kneel bc of them. him not being alone tonight is the support black players need
— hmm (@hintzenthusiast) August 4, 2020
You can rob a bank donate the money to charity and say you meant well , it doesn’t make it right, The National Anthem is sacred to at minimum Veterans and their Families-so actions speak louder than words. That’s kind of where I’m coming from.
— Clive Bixby (@9thislandhockey) August 4, 2020
Reaction to Lehner
A few years ago, Robin Lehner had Donald Trump on his mask. Today, he knelt during the national anthem to protest racism and racial injustice in solidarity with a Black teammate, Ryan Reaves. People can open their minds. People can assimilate new information. People can change.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) August 4, 2020
I certainly did not expect Robin Lehner to be one of the first NHL players to kneel during the anthem, but sometimes life surprises you pic.twitter.com/3j1nsuEouT
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) August 3, 2020
Robin Lehner being one of the first professional men’s hockey players to kneel for the anthem during an NHL game was not what I expected out of 2020 in the slightest
— Anne Tokarski (@annetokarski) August 3, 2020
I’ve changed too, I used to like Robin Lehner, now I hate him.
— Stan Wallsberry (@SWallsberry) August 4, 2020
yo @RobinLehner this you? https://t.co/5Vn7mL8bKp pic.twitter.com/4pyCjH9bq6
— Toews' Burner Account (@JToewsBurner) August 3, 2020
Who had Robin Lehner as one of the only NHLers to kneel? pic.twitter.com/DuEhHwzQzy
— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) August 3, 2020
Dear @RobinLehner, Tyler Seguin, and Co.,
Kneeling during the Anthem does nothing for any lives. All lives matter. This does nothing but boost your egos and get you five minutes of fame.
— Ben The Human (@Loghairn) August 4, 2020