Shinzawa: Patrice Bergeron has something to say

May 02, 2024

Patrice Bergeron speaks forcefully on the ice, on the bench and in the dressing room. The alternate captain is first in line when it comes to inspiring his teammates and discussing plays, all in the fluency of English, his second language.

Throughout his career, the words Bergeron has spoken, in English and French, have strictly been about hockey. The 34-year-old has been the model NHL player when it comes to how he projects his voice — booming and illuminating on the ice, muted in front of microphones about matters away from the rink. A company man, if you will.

Until now.

On Wednesday, the Bruins posted a statement from Bergeron. He acknowledged his nature of keeping certain things to himself.

That, of course, is his right. It’s who he is, both as a person and a hockey player. Bergeron is as understated as Brad Marchand, his friend and linemate, is gregarious.

But in a statement bursting with heartache, vulnerability, humility and regret, Bergeron sounded like someone for whom silence may not be right at all.

“Right or wrong, I’ve often tried to stay away from making my opinions public,” Bergeron wrote. “As hockey players, we have a tendency to do our business while staying quiet, without wanting to make too much noise. It is in our culture. But surrounding the murder of George Floyd and the protests that followed, it made me realize that by not speaking up on the matter, and not using my voice as a professional athlete, it’s in fact allowing racism to fester and continue. Silence is not an option for me anymore.”

Bergeron made it clear that words alone would not do. Bergeron announced a $25,000 donation to the Boston branch of the NAACP, and $25,000 to Centre Multiethnique de Quebec. In doing so, Bergeron became one of the first NHL players to donate to charity following the killing of Floyd.

In that way, Bergeron’s donation aligned with his athletic achievements. Bergeron’s actions have always been more revealing than his words.

In the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, Bergeron fought through car-crash injuries — a punctured lung, torn rib cartilage, separated shoulder — because he wanted to help his team. During Olympic competition, Bergeron accepted playing out of position and fulfilling limited roles because he believed it would aid Team Canada in its quest for gold.

Off the ice, Bergeron is proud of Patrice’s Pals, his longtime program that invites children from local hospitals to attend Bruins games and meet its namesake. In 2010, when Norwood hockey player Matt Brown was paralyzed in a game and rehabilitating at Atlanta’s Shepherd Center, Bergeron visited the teenager to listen and offer his support. Brown and Bergeron remain close friends.

Bergeron did all of this willingly, graciously and quietly. This is his way, and that of the NHL, too. He has never been comfortable treading outside the sport’s expected and rigid boundaries. Players would rather give out secrets of the power play than discuss issues such as politics, race relations and inequality.

But Bergeron, whether he likes it or not, whether it’s fair or unfair, owns a powerful platform as an NHL player — a superstar, at that. Bergeron has accumulated 17 years of organizational currency as a do-it-all center. He is one of the Bruins’ most popular players.

People listen to athletes like Bergeron. He has not always been willing to say what’s on his mind.

“As a white man, I have always tried to live by respect and equality, but I also acknowledge my privileges,” Bergeron said. “I am disappointed in myself that it took this long for me to truly open my eyes. Seeing all this pain truly breaks my heart and forces me to seek answers.”

Bergeron is one of the few pro athletes who does not use social media. He has kept his private life with wife Stephanie and children Zack, Noah and Victoria exactly that.

Whether that will change is unknown. Bergeron hinted that words on a screen are not enough.

“It is time to truly acknowledge this cry for help,” Bergeron wrote. “It needs to be more than a simple Instagram post. Let’s take real actions. With an open heart and compassion, I am determined to be an ally, continue to grow myself and raise my children to be anti-racist.”

“I will not be quiet anymore,” Bergeron added.

Bergeron has something to say. His striking words are proof of that.

(Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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