From Ice to Inspiration: How Jordin Tootoo’s Unseen Battle Redefined Rock Bottom

Over the years, Tootoo has also learned that the systemic racism he encountered has to do with pain and anger of the offending party, and not anything to do with himself or his background. And eventually, he came to understand that racist actions could be addressed by having empathy toward the people hurling epithets at him. 

“A lot of times, when racism comes into hand, it’s not you – it’s that individual who’s struggling for themselves,” Tootoo said. “We’re human too, right? People look at professional athletes like we have this perfect life… Fans or people see professional athletes struggling, and then they say, ‘Well, how come they’re struggling – like they got the world by their hands, or you know, they got all the money in the world.’ Like, we’re human.

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