Don Cherry steps down from Coach’s Corner and Sportsnet
He’s as Canadian as Tim Hortons, Maple Syrup and the Tragically Hip, and as outspoken as his outlandish sport coats, but today Don Cherry has been asked to step down by Sportsnet for his comments on last Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada‘s Coach’s Corner.
The announcement was made Monday after a public backlash ensued when Cherry pointed his finger at new Canadians for not wearing poppies out of respect for the Canadian armed forces who fought to preserve the Canadian way of life. He singled out Torontonian immigrants and those from Mississauga where he resides.
“I live in Mississauga, where nobody wears, very few people wear a poppy,” he said on Coach’s Corner.
“Downtown Toronto, forget it . . . Nobody wears a poppy.”
On the broadcast, co-host Ron MacLean looked on as Cherry pointed his finger, stating “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 continues, “These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price.”
Co-host, Oakville’s Ron MacLean felt terrible that he didn’t interject, and took to Twitter to make a public apology.
Sportsnet also released this statement of apology Sunday from president Bart Yabsley.
“Don’s discriminatory comments are offensive and they do not represent our values and what we stand for as a network. We have spoken with Don about the severity of this issue and we sincerely apologise for these divisive remarks.”
Don Cherry let go from Coach’s Corner
When Sun reporter Joe Warmington asked Donald S. Cherry about his controversial poppy statements, Cherry responded, “I have had my say.”
A resident of Mississauga and Kingston native, Cherry, 85 has been a co-host on Hockey Night in Canada since 1981. He coached the Boston Bruins during the Bobby Orr ‘Big Bad Bruins’ era from 1974 to 1979 and the Colorado Rockies in 1979-80.
by Terence Lankstead – editor@r7h.87b.myftpupload.com
editor@r7h.87b.myftpupload.com
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