PATRICK BURKE ON YOU CAN PLAY'S PROGRESS, PRIDE TORONTO, AND CRITICISM OF HIS DAD

About five months ago, Patrick Burke (scout for the Philadelphia Flyers and son of Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke), Brian Kitts, and Glenn Witman launched the You Can Play Project. As their website describes, their mission is to ensure equality, respect, and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation. Since their launch, You Can Play’s PSA videos have made waves around the sports world, featuring both professional and amateur athletes from the hockey world and beyond.

I recently spoke with Patrick Burke about You Can Play’s involvement in its first Pride Parade, progress the project has made since its launch, and his own personal experience. Patrick also addresses the claim some people have made that his dad, Brian Burke, should not have been involved in the parade because it landed on July 1^st, the opening of the NHL’s free agency period.