On Nov. 18, ice hockey fans gathered to watch the U.K. team Nottingham Panthers return to the ice for the first time for a memorial game, in honor of their teammate, Adam Johnson. The American athlete died on Oct.28 after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a mid-game collision with opponent Matt Petgrave in Sheffield, England.
The incident has led to the arrest of a man on suspicion of manslaughter, who has since been released on bail, and has reignited safety debates surrounding the sport.
The incident has led to the arrest of a man on suspicion of manslaughter, who has since been released on bail, and has reignited safety debates surrounding the sport.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 [crowd chanting] "Ban the drugs in me!"
00:26 Good evening everyone. We're all here today to honour Adam Johnson.
00:33 Unfortunately, with his partner Ryan, his family, friends and team mates.
00:40 Adam, our brother from the 7th, was not only a standing block player, but also a real team mate.
00:48 He was a proud person with his whole life ahead of him.
00:53 You're only here today to speak for a member of your world, to understand what such a person he was.
01:00 [crowd cheering]
01:20 And as our humble to announce team, the number 47 will be retired Adam Johnson.
01:27 [crowd cheering]
01:42 Everybody's looking. In fact, the applause starts now.
01:47 Players start. All the players joining in.
01:52 Everybody on their feet.
01:55 [crowd cheering]
01:59 The noise in here is deafening.
02:02 [crowd cheering]
02:04 You probably recognise that banner, it was used at the city ground Nottingham a couple of weeks ago.
02:09 That game against Aston Villa is the crowd chant Adam Johnson's name.
02:15 It is deafening in here.
02:18 [crowd cheering]
02:21 I've been part, I've been watching this club for 40 years.
02:25 The old stadium and here.
02:28 I've seen championships, I've seen trophies.
02:31 And the noise in the building is right up there with those.
02:34 Yeah, absolutely. 7,500, all the boxes, everybody on their feet cheering.
02:39 A really nice way, hopefully everybody watching at home, you can get that through the screen.
02:45 The noise and just how loud it is in here.
02:48 (applause)