You Can Play

You Can Play is a social activism campaign dedicated to the eradication of homophobia in sports, centered around the slogan, "If you can play, you can play." The campaign was launched on March 4, 2012, by its three co-founders: Patrick Burke (a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers and son of former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke), Brian Kitts, and Glenn Witman (both of GForce Sports).[1] The campaign was precipitated by the death of Brendan Burke, son of Brian and brother of Patrick. You Can Play is an official partner of the National Hockey League. The current executive director of the organization is Wade Davis.

Launch
On March 4, 2012, the You Can Play Project released a video called "The Faceoff".[8] In it, Patrick Burke and Brian Burke introduced the You Can Play Project, stating that their aim is to "carry on [Brendan's] 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.[9] It was produced by HBO and aired originally by NBC.[10] "The Faceoff" won the 2012 GLAAD Amplifier Award.[11]

NHL
The following NHL players and personnel have publicly endorsed You Can Play and/or acceptance of gay players in professional hockey:
 * David Backes[24]
 * Patrice Bergeron[25]
 * Brian Boyle[26]
 * Tyler Bozak[26]
 * Dustin Brown[27]
 * Dustin Byfuglien[28]
 * Ryan Callahan[24]
 * Brian Campbell[29]
 * Zdeno Chára[30]
 * Cal Clutterbuck[31]
 * Sidney Crosby[25]
 * Jordan Eberle<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_a_32-0">[32]
 * Brian Elliott<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_a_32-1">[32]
 * Mark Fayne<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_26-2">[26]
 * Andrew Ference<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33">[33]
 * Jason Garrison<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Mooney_34-0">[34]
 * Claude Giroux<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_f_35-0">[35]
 * Tanner Glass<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_b_28-1">[28]
 * Andy Greene<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_26-3">[26]
 * Scott Hartnell<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_f_35-1">[35]
 * Matt Hendricks<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-36">[36]
 * Braden Holtby<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-calgarysun_37-0">[37]
 * Ryan Jones<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-38">[38]
 * Duncan Keith<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_f_35-2">[35]
 * Ryan Kesler<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_b_28-2">[28]
 * Henrik Lundqvist<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_f_35-3">[35]
 * Joffrey Lupul<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_f_35-4">[35]
 * Manny Malhotra<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Mooney_34-1">[34]
 * Alec Martinez<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-kings_27-1">[27]
 * Matt Moulson<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_f_35-5">[35]
 * Rick Nash<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_f_35-6">[35]
 * Frans Nielsen<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_26-4">[26]
 * Brooks Orpik<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39">[39]
 * Zach Parise<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-nhl.com_24-2">[24]
 * George Parros<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_26-5">[26]
 * Corey Perry<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_f_35-7">[35]
 * Dion Phaneuf<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_f_35-8">[35]
 * Jason Pominville<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_c_30-1">[30]
 * Carey Price<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_e_40-0">[40]
 * Brandon Prust<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_26-6">[26]
 * Steven Stamkos<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_d_29-1">[29]
 * David Steckel<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_26-7">[26]
 * Ryan Suter<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-nhl.com_24-3">[24]
 * Joe Thornton<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-41">[41]
 * Jonathan Toews<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-youcanplayteam_25-2">[25]
 * RJ Umberger<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_26-8">[26]
 * James Van Riemsdyk<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_26-9">[26]
 * Shea Weber<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bare_url_e_40-1">[40]
 * Ryan Whitney<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-42">[42]
 * Tommy Wingels<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-43">[43]
 * W. Brett Wilson (Predators owner)<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-44">[44]
 * Keith Yandle<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-nhl.com_24-4">[24]