Wayne Simmonds, LA Kings Hockey Player, Honored at Staples Center

A number of dignitaries including government officials, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and Willie O'Ree honored LA Kings Hockey Player Wayne Simmonds at Staples Center, Los Angeles, California. Simmonds also celebrated his twenty first birthday. He also scored during overtime against Edmonton, but the LA Kings lost the game.

This video is part of a playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F74CE08F11C4BDDB

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[stcywll]

Wayne is a hockey player...just happens to be black...why the big deal? These stupid idiots think he is the first black guy to play hockey. Black players have been in the leauge for 25 years.

[EdMagikTV]

@stcywll People get honored all the time. Wayne is not being honored just because he's black. He's being honored because of his accomplishments. Think of getting a gold star for being good in Kindergarten. Not everybody gets honored, but then not everybody is as outstanding. The best time to begin recognizing people for their accomplishments is NOW. I suppose the real subject should be, "Why does this bother you?"

[CrociatoAzzurro]

WoW

10 goals in 41 games ? that'll make him a, wait for it.... 20-goal scorer in the league.

Only a few hundred other players have those stats as well.

big. fucking.deal. All this because he's black ?

[EdMagikTV]

@CrociatoAzzurro Regardless of ethnicity, isn't is better to acknowledge people for their accomplishments while they are alive instead of after they have died? It's too bad that many people just take life for granted. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Try asking all the dead people who died yesterday if they knew for certain that they would be alive today?

[JLCMJelly]

WTF is this??

They are talking about him like he's the first and only black NHL player, and like he's some huge superstar? I love Simmonds, but this is just ridiculous.....

[stefanjarrin]

This video sucks! First of, the host is garbage... He can't even get the stats rights on the featured player! And they make it seem like Wayne is the first and only black player in the NHL. Did I mention the host sucks?

[nick88999]

@mochopz k fine then, he's fully African Canadian. And yes, he is african due to his ancestry. He is of full african decent, which is why we are called an African Canadian or African Americans. But u are probably one of the stupidest ppl on here...like 12 black guys in canada?? really man? I know over 90 black people very well and im in Ottawa, but see even more every day. Educate urself u moron.

[mochopz]

@nick88999 really dude, 11 months ago? really? im pretty sure you have to be American to be an African american. He's neither african or american. We have like 12 black guys in all of Canada, so chances are he doesnt feel very black. just sayin.

[nick88999]

ur a terrible fuckin host. and u know nothing about hockey

[nick88999]

@mochopz are u fuckin stupid? Just cuz he's Canadian, it doesn't mean he's "kinda" black. Hes fully african american, period. fuck, ur ignorant

[EdMagikTV]

@CrociatoAzzurro I see it this way, it did not hurt anyone; and in fact if this video and other positive message videos like it encourage young people, especially blacks not to do drugs or crime but to pursue a positive career or lifestyle, then I'm all for it, because it can save lives and make the world a better place in which to live. By the way, in 1909 Matthew Henson became the first man to reach the North Pole.

[CrociatoAzzurro]

@EdMagikTV

At the end of the day, 14 goals at halfway through the season is a good haul. A pace for a 30-goal season which is very good, but hardly earth shattering. This "party" for him is OVERKILL !

PS: black man went to the North Pole first ? A hell of a way off from da muddaland, don't you think ? I hear blacks were the first space explorers too :)

[EdMagikTV]

@CrociatoAzzurro At the time, it was actually 14 goals. The was a misprint on the information we were given. Nonetheless, Wayne had his 21st birthday at the time. All this was about was recognition of a young black man's achievements. It's ironic that in the past, many black men and women were never acknowledged for their great contributions to society. In some cases, white people took credit. Like the first man to reach the North Pole - it was a black man. So what, right?