Former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo gave a moving speech to the crowd at the BB&T Centre in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday night.
The Florida Panthers goalie took to the ice before their game against the Washington Capitals to give a speech about the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland where 17 people were killed.
Luongo fought back tears addressing the crowd at the arena, adding that he has lived in Parkland for 12 years and his kids go to school in the district.
When the shooting happened on Valentine’s Day, Luongo was in Vancouver and said it was hard for him to be on the West Coast and not be able to get home to protect his family.
“No child should have to go through that. It’s terrible,” he said.
“It’s time for us as a community to take action. It’s enough. Enough is enough. We’ve got to take action.”
He addressed the families of the victims, saying “our hearts are broken for you guys.”
“It’s heartbreaking. You guys are in our thoughts. We’ve been thinking about you every day constantly for the last week. Just to know that we’re there for you if you guys need anything. You’ll be in our prayers. Let’s try and move on together.”
Luongo continued by addressing the teachers at the school who protected the students.
He called them heroes, saying the teachers who jumped into action to protect the students, some of whom died doing so, should be “put on a pedestal for the rest of their lives.”
The staff who lost their lives included football coach Aaron Feis, athletic director Chris Hixon and geography teacher Scott Beigel.
“The last thing I want to say is since last Wednesday, I’ve been watching the news and I’ve been seeing what the kids from Stoneman Douglas have been doing. I am very, very proud of you guys,” Luongo said.
“You guys are brave. You guys are an inspiration to all of us. At the end of the day, you guys are what’s giving us hope for the future.”
Here’s the full text of Luongo’s speech:
“I just want to start off by saying that I live in Parkland.”
“I’ve been living there for the past 12 years. My wife was born and raised in that area. My kids go to school in Parkland. When I’m done playing hockey, I want to spend the rest of my life in Parkland. I love that city.
“Last week was Valentine’s Day. I was in Vancouver. Obviously, we all know what happened. It was hard for me to be on the West Coast and not be able to get back home and protect my family. No child should have to go through that. It’s terrible. It’s time for us as a community to take action. It’s enough. Enough is enough. We got to take action.
“To the families of the victims, our hearts are broken for you guys. There’s not much to say. It’s heartbreaking. You guys are in our thoughts. We’ve been thinking about you every day constantly for the last week. Just to know that we’re there for you if you guys need anything. You’ll be in our prayers. Let’s try and move on together. Last, just two more things.
“Just to the teachers of the school, you guys are heroes protecting your children. Some of them didn’t make it, trying to protect children. That is truly what a hero is. Those people need to be put on a pedestal for the rest of their lives.
“The last thing I want to say is since last Wednesday, I’ve been watching the news and I’ve been seeing what the kids from Stoneman Douglas have been doing. I am very, very proud of you guys. You guys are brave. You guys are an inspiration to all of us. At the end of the day, you guys are what’s giving us hope for the future.
“Thank you.”