You Can Play
You Can Play is a social activism campaign that aims to eliminate homophobia in sports, based on the slogan, "If you can play, you can play." The campaign was launched on March 4, 2012, by three co-founders: Patrick Burke, Brian Kitts, and Glenn Witman. The death of Brendan Burke, son of Brian and brother of Patrick, played a significant role in inspiring the campaign. Notably, "You Can Play" is an official partner of the National Hockey League, with Wade Davis serving as the former executive director of the organization. Presently, Wade Davis holds the position of Director of Professional Sports.
Background
Prior to his death, Brendan Burke was renowned for his dedicated efforts to combat homophobia within the hockey community. Brendan served as a student manager for the Miami University RedHawks hockey team and gained significant recognition when he publicly came out as a gay man in 2009. His coming-out story was shared through an article written by John Buccigross and published on ESPN.com. Brendan and his father, Brian, appeared together on the Canadian channel TSN during a nationally televised hockey game intermission, where they openly discussed Brendan's sexuality and his father's acceptance of him.During the interview, Brendan said, "I think it's important my story is told to people because there are a lot of gay athletes out there and gay people working in pro sports that deserve to know there are safe environments where people are supportive regardless of your sexual orientation."
Brendan died on February 5, 2010, in a car accident. He was only 21 years old, leaving behind a legacy of bravery, advocacy, and a sincere desire for inclusivity in sports.
Brian and Patrick continued to combat homophobia in the NHL after Brendan's death; Patrick, along with Brian Kitts and Glenn Witman, founded You Can Play as a tribute to his brother. The name You Can Play originates from a piece Patrick Burke wrote for outsports.com. In the piece, Patrick talks about the overwhelmingly positive experience surrounding Brendan's coming out: "I waited to get a negative email, or to read a damning article, or to hear a snide comment at a game. I waited, and I waited, and I waited... and I got what I should have expected the entire time: love, support, and admiration." He talks of letters and emails that poured in to his family, and he also talks of fellow scouts and hockey personnel pulling him aside and giving their support. He summarizes his feelings in the revelation that across the hockey world, what matters is whether or not you can play. "If you can play, we welcome you." The quote was adapted to the catchier "If you can play, you can play" by the campaign.
You Can Play had its genesis in early 2011 at an event at the University of Denver, at which Glenn Witman had asked Patrick to be a guest speaker. Witman also invited Brian, and their casual conversations led to the eventual founding and launch of You Can Play.
Launch
On March 4, 2012, the You Can Play Project released a video called "The Faceoff". In it, Patrick Burke and Brian Burke introduced the You Can Play Project, stating that their aim is to "carry on legacy, and ensure that LGBT athletes around the world are afforded equal opportunity; judged only by their talent, character, and work ethic in their sport." The video features appearances from prominent NHL players Rick Nash, Duncan Keith, Claude Giroux, Matt Moulson, Daniel Alfredsson, Corey Perry, Henrik Lundqvist, and other popular NHL players. The video was uploaded to YouTube and aired during a Bruins-Rangers game. It was produced by HBO and aired originally by NBC. "The Faceoff" won the 2012 GLAAD Amplifier Award.Organization
The You Can Play Advisory Board includes Brian Burke, ESPN SportsCenter anchor John Buccigross, Miami University head hockey coach Enrico Blasi, Kraft Sports Group Vice President of Customer Marketing & Strategy Jessica Gelman, ESPN columnist LZ Granderson, Olympic soccer player Angela Hucles, Be The Change president and CEO Kevin Jennings, Andy Miele of the Grand Rapids Griffins/Detroit Red Wings, sports psychologist Dana Sinclair, AEG Vice President Kelly Staley, professional soccer player David Testo, Chicago Blackhawks forward Tommy Wingels, and Golden State Warriors president Rick Welts. In February 2013, the Advisory Board added transgender activist and baseball analyst Christina Kahrl and former NFL players Wade Davis and Esera Tuaolo. Miele and Wingels were the founding donors of You Can Play.On August 20, 2013, Patrick Burke stepped aside as the main voice of You Can Play and named Wade Davis executive director of the organization. Burke remained with the organization in a less public role until March 2017, when he stepped down from the organization completely. In September 2016, Chris Mosier joined the organization as Vice President of Program Development and Community Relations and Wade Davis moved from Executive Director to Director of Professional Sports.
Goals
You Can Play aims to rid professional sports of "casual homophobia" in the locker room. Their approach emphasizes education rather than punishment or blame.The You Can Play mission statement reads as follows:
Patrick Burke has been quoted as saying, "The end goal of our project is that we're completely useless. We want the day to come when it's not a story when an athlete comes out, when athletes are only judged by how they can help their teams win." In March 2012, Burke stated that he believed the NHL would see a current player come out within the next two years.
The You Can Play website promotes an initiative called the "Captain's Challenge," encouraging team captains from various sports, no matter the level of competition, to sign a form in support of You Can Play and its message. The challenge reads:
You Can Play intends to release a playbook about casual homophobia as a resource for athletes and sports officials to help ensure safety for LGBT people in their communities.
Supporters
NHL
The following NHL players and personnel have publicly endorsed You Can Play and/or acceptance of gay players in professional hockey:Brian Burke appeared on TVOntario in July 2012 to talk about You Can Play. In response to a question about whether the NHL is ready to accept gay players, he said, "Before we started, we went to the NHL and said, 'Does this have your support?' and Gary Bettman was like, 'Absolutely.' He knew Brendan, and he was like, 'Absolutely, that day can't come soon enough.'" On April 11, 2013, the NHL and NHLPA announced an official partnership with You Can Play, including a commitment to educate prospects on LGBT issues and provide avenues for players to seek confidential counseling related to sexual orientation.
Landeskog's support in January 2014 made history because it meant that each National Hockey League team had at least one player supporting The You Can Play Project. In December 2016, Anders Nilsson began wearing a mask with a gay pride flag painted on the back as a sign that ice hockey welcomes diversity, drawing praise from Wade Davis for "taking a risk on multiple fronts and standing up for something that he believes in, knowing the backlash that could come his way."
On February 2, 2017, the NHL and its partners announced as part of Hockey is for Everyone month that each of its 30 member teams will have one player designated as a You Can Play ambassador. In June 2019, Kurtis Gabriel became the first NHL player to play a game while using Pride Tape, which was usually saved only for warmups.
AHL and the You Can Play Pledge
Several American Hockey League teams have created videos for You Can Play and/or taken the You Can Play Pledge, a pledge to support the campaign's principles signed by the entire organization. These teams include:Post-Secondary Institutions
A number of colleges and universities from across North America and Canada have contributed videos to the campaign. This list includes:Other leagues
In March 2012, the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League became the first Major Junior team to contribute to the You Can Play project.On October 12, 2012, You Can Play published a video from DC United of Major League Soccer. This was the campaign's first public service announcement from a professional sports league outside of the NHL, as well as the first outside of hockey. Two months later Toronto FC became the second MLS team, and the first Canadian soccer team, to support You Can Play. The following year, in 2013, Major League Soccer and the Major League Soccer Players Union partnered with You Can Play. "The diversity found in our league has always been a point of pride for us," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "We are proud to partner with You Can Play to ensure that all of our fans and players know that MLS is committed to providing a safe environment where everyone is treated equally, and with dignity and respect."
On December 20, 2012, You Can Play announced an official partnership with the Canadian Women's Hockey League. In a statement, Patrick Burke said, "LGBT female athletes face a different set of problems than male athletes, but those problems are no less serious. This partnership will encourage both LGBT athletes and their numerous straight allies to speak up for each other, without fear of recrimination from teammates, coaches, fans, or sponsors." The CWHL is the first league to partner with You Can Play.
In February 2013 the Colorado Mammoth became the first National Lacrosse League team to support You Can Play. Later that year the Denver Outlaws joined the Mammoth in becoming the second NLL team to support the project. In February 2019, the Toronto Rock held their first Pride Night in support of You Can Play.
In March 2013 the San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL became the first team in that league to partner with the You Can Play project.
In June 2013 Seattle Reign FC of the National Women's Soccer League published a video in support of the project, becoming "the first professional women's team in the United States to speak on behalf of You Can Play."
The Denver Nuggets became the first National Basketball Association team to partner with You Can Play in January 2014. One of the three Nuggets players who appeared in the video, Kenneth Faried, was already "a vocal supporter of equality" before joining the You Can Play project.
In June 2017, U.S. Soccer partnered with You Can Play. The U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams wore pride-inspired rainbow numbers during the June friendlies. One set of game-issued jerseys from each team was auctioned for You Can Play.