Tampa Bay Lightning forward J.T. Brown raised his right fist during the national anthem at the team's road game on Saturday. He didn't get a chance to do it again Monday.

  • Lightning forward J.T. Brown scratched from Monday's game
  • Not known if it's related to national anthem protest
  • Brown raised fist during anthem over the weekend

It was the first demonstration of this kind during the anthem at an NHL regular-season game.

Brown was scratched before Monday night's game at Amalie Arena, but we don't know why.

Brown said on Twitter that he's trying to make a statement about police brutality and racial inequality.

But some Lightning fans said the ice isn't the place for it.

"It's disrespectful to our flag and to the military. I also believe he does have a good reason, but that is not the place to discuss that," said Dick Bourbonis.

Amy Hewitt and Ryan Larose attended the Lightning home game together but they have different opinions about Brown's actions.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I think everyone can play it how they want to and I'm OK with that," said Hewitt.

"I just don't think it's the proper forum to be doing that. I think it's a better demonstration than sitting down but I think there could be a better way to go about doing that kind of protest," said Larose.

Alicia Reed came to the game wearing a shirt with an American flag on it. She said if Brown keeps it up, this may be her last Lightning game.

"I've been a Lightning fan for 20 years. I've stopped watching football because of those protests. That's actually why I wore this shirt, you know, there's a time for politics and there's a time for sports. Take the politics out of sports and just let us have a good time," she said.

Brown posted that he realizes his actions won't sit well with everyone and he insists it's not meant to be disrespectful. He isn't saying how long he'll continue his protest.

The NHL doesn't have any rules about what players have to do during the national anthem.

The Lightning issued a statement on Saturday:

"The Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate the moment before every game where we can unite as a community, paying homage to a flag that is representative of our nation and those who have sacrificed. At the same time, we respect our players and individual choices that may make on social and political issues."​