You Can Play had its genesis in early 2011 at an event at the University of Denver, at which Glenn Witman had asked Patrick to be a guest speaker. Witman also invited Brian, and their casual conversations led to the eventual founding and launch of You Can Play. On March 4, 2012, the You Can Play Project released a video called "The Faceoff". In it, Patrick Burke and Brian Burke introduced the You Can Play Project, stating that their aim is to "carry on [Brendan's] legacy, and ensure that LGBT athletes around the world are afforded equal opportunity; judged only by their talent, character, and work ethic in their sport." The video features appearances from prominent NHL players Rick Nash, Duncan Keith, Claude Giroux, Matt Moulson, Daniel Alfredsson, Corey Perry, Henrik Lundqvist, and other popular NHL players. The video was uploaded to YouTube and aired during a Bruins-Rangers game. It was produced by HBO and aired originally by NBC. "The Faceoff" won the 2012 GLAAD Amplifier Award. The You Can Play Advisory Board includes Brian Burke, ESPN SportsCenter anchor John Buccigross, Miami University head hockey coach Enrico Blasi, Kraft Sports Group Vice President of Customer Marketing & Strategy Jessica Gelman, ESPN columnist LZ Granderson, Olympic soccer player Angela Hucles, Be The Change president and CEO Kevin Jennings, Andy Miele of the Grand Rapids Griffins/Detroit Red Wings, sports psychologist Dana Sinclair, AEG Vice President Kelly Staley, professional soccer player David Testo, Chicago Blackhawks forward Tommy Wingels, and Golden State Warriors president Rick Welts. In February 2013, the Advisory Board added transgender activist and baseball analyst Christina Kahrl and former NFL players Wade Davis and Esera Tuaolo. Miele and Wingels were the founding donors of You Can Play. On August 20, 2013, Patrick Burke stepped aside as the main voice of You Can Play and named Wade Davis executive director of the organization. Burke remained with the organization in a less public role until March 2017, when he stepped down from the organization completely. In September 2016, Chris Mosier joined the organization as Vice President of Program Development and Community Relations and Wade Davis moved from Executive Director to Director of Professional Sports. You Can Play aims to rid professional sports of "casual homophobia" in the locker room. Their approach emphasizes education rather than punishment or blame. The You Can Play mission statement reads as follows:  Patrick Burke has been quoted as saying, "The end goal of our project is that we're completely useless.