Washington Capitals and Team USA star TJ Oshie had to return to social media to defend a message about President Donald Trump during his inauguration on Monday.
Oshie had posted a simple graphic of Trump, which read “America is back” in capital letters, followed by a message. Oshie captioned the post “God Bless America” with an American flag emoji.
“Every day, I will fight for you with every breath in my body,” Trump’s message on the graphic read. “I will not rest until we create the strong, secure, prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be America’s golden age.”
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Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie skates against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. (Bob Frid-USA Today Sports)
Well, the commenters under Oshie’s post weren’t all very friendly, leading him to defend the post and his love of country.
“It escalated quickly!” Oshie wrote on the world until you prove me wrong If it motivates you I feel better tweeting myself on the Internet, it’s cool, even if I don’t see any honor in it and it seems stupid.
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Some commenters said they were worried about Oshie’s daughters as Trump ascended to the presidency, and Oshie had time to respond.
“To everyone who is concerned about my daughters, thank you for your concern,” Oshie added. “My four children will grow up with parents who will support them, tell them they love them every day, teach them to be strong and above all to be good and kind people.”
Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie handles the puck during warmups before a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. (Bob Frid-USA Today Sports)
And then there were the commentators who said they would throw Oshie’s jerseys in the trash.
“PS For those throwing away jerseys…maybe just scratch off the name and number. Remember the name on the front is way more important than the name on the back. I love you today and always! May God Bless America.”
Oshie, a Stanley Cup winner with the Capitals in 2018, has played his last nine NHL seasons in the nation’s capital, where he is an assistant captain this year.
He was the 24th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues, where he spent his first seven seasons.
Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie during a stoppage in play against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. (Bob Frid-USA Today Sports)
The 38-year-old was also a Team USA legend, having experienced historic moments like his four-goal shootout against Russia during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. The United States finished fourth at those Olympics, but Oshie spent years representing the Stars and Stripes with three men’s national teams in 2009, 2010 and 2013, as well as the junior national team in 2006.
