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Don Cherry: NHL, Hockey Canada condemn poppy comment Don Cherry: Canadian hockey pundit fired for poppy rant
(about 4 hours later)
Controversial comments on new immigrants and Remembrance Day poppies by a Canadian ice hockey commentator has prompted condemnation from the hockey world. Prominent Canadian ice hockey commentator Don Cherry has been fired for controversial comments on new immigrants and Remembrance Day poppies.
Don Cherry complained on-air that he rarely sees people he believes to be newcomers wearing the symbol. Cherry complained on-air this weekend that he rarely sees people he believes to be newcomers wearing the symbol.
His co-host called the comments "hurtful and prejudiced" and apologised for failing to intervene. His remarks prompted widespread condemnation from the hockey world.
The league said the words are "contrary to the values we believe in". On Monday, the Sportsnet network said that in the wake of the remarks "it is the right time for him to immediately step down".
"During the broadcast, he made divisive remarks that do not represent our values or what we stand for," Sportsnet president Bart Yabsley said in a statement.
Cherry is a former ice hockey player and coach who launched his career as a commentator for the game in the 1980s.
He has built his celebrity through his appearance on Coach's Corner, a segment of Hockey Night in Canada - a television staple in the country since 1952.
What did Cherry say?
Speaking on the Hockey Night in Canada show on Saturday, Cherry singled out Toronto immigrants for not wearing poppies.Speaking on the Hockey Night in Canada show on Saturday, Cherry singled out Toronto immigrants for not wearing poppies.
"At least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy," he said."At least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy," he said.
The words prompted a quick reaction online, including calls for the 85-year-old to resign from his lengthy television career.
On Sunday, the National Hockey League, television co-host Ron MacLean, Hockey Canada, and network Sportsnet issued statements censuring Cherry's remarks.
What did Don Cherry say?
"You people... you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that," Cherry said."You people... you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that," Cherry said.
"These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price.""These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price."
Sportsnet president Bart Yabsley issued a statement saying the network had spoken with Cherry "about the severity of this issue". What was the reaction?
MacLean apologised to viewers for mishandling "a divisive moment" after he gave the remarks a thumbs-up. The words prompted a backlash online, including calls for the 85-year-old to resign from his lengthy television career.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan tweeted a thread highlighting Canadian veterans from minority groups, saying he hoped "we can turn this into a moment where we can learn about about all who have served". On Sunday, the National Hockey League, television co-host Ron MacLean, Hockey Canada, and network Sportsnet issued statements censuring Cherry's remarks.
The origins of the poppy as an emblem of remembrance lie with the opening lines of the World War One poem In Flanders Fields by Canadian officer John McCrae: "In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row." MacLean called the comments "hurtful and prejudiced" and apologised for failing to intervene.
Poppies are predominantly worn in the UK and Commonwealth nations such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. They are also used to a lesser extent in the US. He apologised to viewers for mishandling "a divisive moment" after he gave the remarks a thumbs-up.
Who is Don Cherry? Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan tweeted a thread highlighting Canadian veterans from minority groups, saying he hoped "we can turn this into a moment where we can learn about all who have served".
Mr Cherry has been on Canadian television screens for decades. The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, a national self-regulatory organisation, said on Monday it received so many complaints following the broadcast that it would no longer accept any more on the issue.
The former ice hockey player and coach launched his career as a commentator for Canada's beloved game in the 1980s. Who is Cherry?
He has built his celebrity through his appearance on Coach's Corner, a segment of Hockey Night in Canada - a television staple in the country since 1952. Cherry has been on Canadian television screens for decades and is well known for his commentary, his flamboyant, custom-made suits and his blunt manner.
Mr Cherry is well known for his commentary, his flamboyant, custom-made suits and his blunt manner.
He has also long been a fierce supporter of Canada's military, military families and their causes.He has also long been a fierce supporter of Canada's military, military families and their causes.
But unapologetic remarks on issues from fighting in hockey and female sports reporters in dressing rooms to French-Canadians and "pinkos" that "ride bicycles and everything" have frequently landed him in hot water.But unapologetic remarks on issues from fighting in hockey and female sports reporters in dressing rooms to French-Canadians and "pinkos" that "ride bicycles and everything" have frequently landed him in hot water.
The origins of the poppy as an emblem of remembrance lie with the opening lines of the World War One poem In Flanders Fields by Canadian officer John McCrae: "In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row."
Poppies are predominantly worn in the UK and Commonwealth nations such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. They are also used to a lesser extent in the US.