Hockey Night In Canada analyst Don Cherry has been fired for the anti-immigrant comments he made Saturday.
The firing ends Cherry’s Coach’s Corner segment which has aired during Hockey Night In Canada for the last 35 years.
The Toronto Sun’s Joe Warmington and former Sportsnet reporter John Shannon were the first to report the news.
BREAKING- @CoachsCornerDC has been fired by @Sportsnet – story to come.
— Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) November 11, 2019
Don Cherry is no longer with Rogers/HNIC
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) November 11, 2019
Sportsnet later confirmed the news in a tweet.
Statement from Sportsnet: pic.twitter.com/LRKrww0AQ1
— Sportsnet PR (@SportsnetPR) November 11, 2019
The tweet read:
Sports brings people together – it unites us, not divides us. Following further discussions with Don Cherry after Saturday night’s broadcast, it has been decided 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.
Don is synonymous with hockey and has played an integral role in growing the game over the past 40 years. We would like to thank Don for his contributions to hockey and sports broadcasting in Canada. -Bart Yabsley, President, Sportsnet
The firing occurred on Remembrance Day or Poppy Day in Canada – a holiday observed since the end of the First World War to remember the soldiers who have died in the line of duty.
Cherry’s rant went like this.
“I live in Mississauga. Very few people wear the poppy,” Cherry said. “Downtown Toronto, forget it. Nobody wears the poppy. Now you go to the small cities. You people . . . that come here, whatever it is — you love our way of life. You love our milk and honey. At least you could pay a couple of bucks for a poppy or something like that. These guys pay for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada. These guys paid the biggest price for that.”
Cherry’s comments were condemned by the NHL, Sportsnet, and Hockey Canada.
Statement from the National Hockey League regarding Don Cherry’s comments Saturday night: pic.twitter.com/zt57sLy5Fa
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 10, 2019
Statement from Sportsnet: pic.twitter.com/QZ76r9Y7sb
— Sportsnet PR (@SportsnetPR) November 10, 2019
Statement from Hockey Canada: pic.twitter.com/qwc5F5acKT
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) November 10, 2019
Coach’s Corner host, Ron MacLean, addressed Cherry’s remarks as well and apologized for standing idly by as Don said them.
Ron MacLean begins Hometown Hockey by addressing the comments Don Cherry made last night and apologizing pic.twitter.com/2QSVOAxfX1
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 10, 2019
I want to sincerely apologize to our viewers and Canadians. During last night's broadcast, Don made comments that were hurtful and prejudiced and I wish I had handled myself differently. It was a divisive moment and I am truly upset with myself for allowing it. (1/2)
— Ron MacLean (@RonMacLeanHTH) November 10, 2019
I have worked with Don for 30 years, and we both love hockey. But last night, I know we failed you. I see hockey as part of what unites us. I have the honour of travelling across our country to celebrate Canada's game, and our diversity is one of our country's greatest strengths.
— Ron MacLean (@RonMacLeanHTH) November 10, 2019
Cherry has made repugnant remarks before, including calling the Carolina Hurricanes and Evgeny Kuznetsov jerks for their exuberant celebrations last season. Don also once compared Alex Ovechkin to a soccer player.
The 85-year-old Cherry was a defenseman and played professionally, mostly in the minor leagues, from 1954 to 1972. Cherry went on to become head coach of the Boston Bruins and the Colorado Rockies before being hired as a studio analyst for CBC’s playoff coverage in 1980.
