Paving The Way: A Salute To Lesser-Known Black Sports Heroes (1 Of 3)

With this being Black History Month, I want to take this podium and spotlight and shine it on some lesser-known titans of sport. These men/women had a tremendous impact on modern sports, but you may have never heard their name(s) until now.

Trey McMillian

Honor: The first black man to attend (and sit all the way through) a hockey game.

Trey's story is one of power, determination, and sheer triumph over adversity.

Due to some clever snooping, I was able to secure an interview with him for The Bleacher Report. I hope you enjoy.

Ernest: Mr. McMillian, I'd like to begin by thanking you for giving my readers and I a moment of your time.

TreyMM: Not a problem, youngblood!

E: Well, I don't think a lot of people know that you were the first black man to make it all the way through a hockey game, and that sir, is an accomplishment worth celebrating!

TreyMM: Thanks, kid. BELIEVE ME, Before I did it, the only black people at the arena on hockey days were the staff.

E: ..How far we've come, sir.

TreyMM: Indeed.

E: So why don't you tell us what happened that fateful day?

TreyMM: I'd love to. See, the year was 1957. I was living in Boston, and working as a garbageman. a white guy at my job was RAVING all up and down the street about something called Bruins. It was "Bruins this, Bruins that" all the live-long day. One day, I had enough. I says to him, I says, "Why don't you quiet that noise? If they're that good, take me with the next time you go. I wanna see this nonsense." 

So I tell my wife I'm going to a hockey game, and she looked at me like I kicked the damn dog down the stairs. My friends were worried about me. But I knew I had to press on. I went on over to the Boston Garden with the guy, and the first thing I could think of was...WHY THE HELL IS IT SO COLD IN HERE? What's wrong with these people? It's the middle of April and people were in there wearing heavy coats. I immediately thought "F*** THIS STUFF" and turned to get the hell out, but something told me to stay. The Bruins were playing some team from Canada. This was the first time I had seen anyone from Canada, so that was pretty interesting.

The game was easy to follow, but for the life of me, I couldn't see that damn puck thing. I had a trick though. Since I couldn't see it, I would just kind of wait until that noise went off when the goal got hit, and everyone started cheering, then i would cheer too. Easy enough. Oh, and one thing I saw that blew my mind? A damn fight broke out!

Ernest: A fight, you say?!?

TreyMM: A DAMN FIGHT! People went crazy! I'm thinking, aww s**t! So this goes on for a while, and then..it just ended. Nobody got arrested, Nobody got a ticket. That's when I knew my life would never be the same.

Ernest: Absolutely fascinating. Sir, your tale is amazing. I want to thank you for your time. Before we leave, is there any advice you'd like to give to today's black hockey game attendees and players?

TreyMM: Oh yeah. Put a damn coat on. A sweatshirt at the least. Oh, and they stop serving beer in the 3rd period. so load up. It helps. Players? What are you talking about?

Ernest: Well, sir. There have been several Black players in the NHL since your achievement.

TreyMM: Are you serious?

Ernest: Uh..yeah. Matter of fact, the first Black player was a Boston Bruin.

TreyMM: Well, son of a bitch. That's amazing. Good for him.

Ernest: ...Mr. McMillian. Have you been to a game since that one?

TreyMM: No. No, I have not.

Ernest: Astounding stuff. Thanks again.

This has been Paving The Way. I'm Ernest Wilkins. Goodnight, and Keep your nose clean.