OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Willie O’Ree is hopeful that one day sports will be free of racism and bigotry, yet thinks it’s still a long way off.
The 84-year-old O’Ree, the first black player in the NHL, took part in the league’s Black History Month Tour in Ottawa, which features a mobile curated museum displaying the history of black hockey players.
O’Ree endured a great deal of racism. He said he is saddened it continues today.
“It’s not only happening in hockey, it’s happening in football and baseball and other sports,” the Hall of Famer said Monday.