When NHL legend Bobby Orr endorsed Donald Trump for re-election in 2020

Robert "Bobby" Orr is a legendary former professional ice hockey player from Canada who was born on March 20, 1948. Orr revolutionized the defenseman's position with his ice skating speed, scoring prowess, and ability to create plays. He participated in 12 NHL seasons. He spent the first 10 with the Boston Bruins and the next two with the Chicago Black Hawks.

Bobby Orr, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, has endorsed former US President Donald Trump's bid for re-election. In a full-page advertisement published in Friday's edition of the New Hampshire Union Leader, the former Boston Bruin called Trump as "the sort of teammate I'd like."

The advertisement, which features a picture of Trump and Orr giving a thumbs-up sign, was released on Tuesday, November 3, less than a week before the U.S. election.

High numbers of COVID-19 infections and fatalities, as well as occasionally violent protests against racism and police brutality in key American cities, plagued Trump's turbulent first term in office.

Orr, who was born in Parry Sound, Ontario, claims that Trump has stood up for Americans "regardless of race, gender, or station in life."

Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre and golfing icon Jack Nicklaus were two other well-known players who endorsed Trump back in 2020.

Bobby Orr: The NHL legend's spectacular NHL career

In 1961, Bobby Orr took part in a minor hockey competition, and the Boston Bruins took notice of him. He made his Metro Junior A-League debut for the Oshawa Generals, the Bruins' junior hockey affiliate, in the 1962–1963 campaign. Throughout the following two seasons, his performance improved, and in 1965–1966, he had a spectacular season, scoring 38 goals and totaling 94 points.

Orr made his professional debut with the Bruins in the 1966–1967 campaign. After being selected as the league's best rookie, he was awarded the Calder Memorial Award.

Due to ailments ranging from a collarbone fracture to a shoulder separation, Bobby Orr was only able to participate in 46 games during the 1967–68 season. He made the NHL's inaugural All-Star team despite his injuries. He did remarkably well despite playing in a small number of games, recording his first hat trick against Chicago and adding two assists for a five-point performance.

His scoring total doubled during the 1969–1970 campaign. In 1970, he steered the Bruins to victory in the Stanley Cup playoffs, giving Boston its first title since 1941. He scored the decisive goal against New York in the 1972 playoffs to lead the Bruins back to the Stanley Cup. He was awarded MVP of the NHL All-Star Game in 1972.

With three goals and four assists against the New York Rangers in 1973, Orr established the record for the most points scored by a defenseman in a single game. With 46 goals and 89 assists the next season, he broke his own defenseman goal-scoring record. His final campaign with the Bruins was in 1975–1976. His contract had completed its term that year.

Bobby Orr joined the Chicago Black Hawks in June 1976. He was only able to participate in 26 games for them, though, due to injury. In 1978, he left the group.