Don Cherry, a staple in Canadian culture and the world of hockey, was fired on Canada’s Remembrance Day, for “disrespectful and dividing remarks.” Remembrance Day honors those who died, especially in World War I, defending their country.
Hockey is not as popular in the United States as in Canada, but American hockey fans are probably familiar with Cherry. Still, his recent firing is important to examine as the Left continues to spread “cancel culture,” virtue-signaling, and the double standard of projecting beliefs onto public figures.
Cherry was a player and coach in the NHL. After his playing days, in the 1980s, he was hired by CBC to be an analyst. They soon marketed and promoted his flashy, loud-mouthed, and colorful views. For almost four decades, he has had a weekly segment on the hallowed Hockey Night in Canada, which airs during hockey season on the premier sports networks every Saturday.
During the 1980s and 1990s, he was famous for decrying the “invasion” of Russians and Europeans into the league. He would often promote fighting, visor-less players, and “tough guys” who played the game the “right” way. During the early days of the European player influx, he would make comments about how many of them “wore visors” or how teams that won hard-fought and epic Stanley Cup Playoff series had the fewest European or Russian players. It became his schtick.
With Cherry’s firebrand persona, it’s fair to ask what was louder: his raspy rants, or his suits. He has been partnered with the docile and calming Ron MacLean for most of his career to provide the buddy-comedy, outrageous vs. calm duo that is so often found on TV. Many in the media say that Cherry has walked a tightrope for years, but it is hard to watch and not believe this is exactly what the producers expected and demanded. Cherry made for good television and high ratings.
So what was his last straw? It’s what Cherry said about Poppies and Remembrance Day. The poppy is a sacred symbol for Canadians and one of utmost importance. From Coach’s Corner on CBC:
Was it poorly worded? Was it racist? Cherry isn’t known for being eloquent, and he has been hard on “foreigners” before. At face value, it is an older Canadian deriding the new millennial culture and young people for not participating in Remembrance Day. But let’s say it was, at its worst, Cherry deriding immigrants for not wearing poppies. Was his firing appropriate?
Sports fans’ reactions are pretty split, depending on who and where you look. But the irony is that just a few weeks ago, Canadians reelected Justin Trudeau, the prime minister who was embroiled in controversy thanks to several photos surfacing of him wearing black-face makeup.
The people I see saying au revoir to Cherry are the same ones who ostensibly defended and supported Trudeau. This is nothing more than selective virtue-signaling. These “woke” liberals took offense to a comment they disliked from someone they disdain and have projected their politically correct ideas onto it.
I am not saying that Cherry is an icon above reproach or punishment, or even that I think what he said was appropriate. But was his firing just?
Here is what Sportsnet President Bart Yabsley said after firing Cherry:
“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.”
Sportsnet and the same country that reelected Justin Trudeau as prime minister now celebrates the firing of another person whom they deemed racist because he was guilty in the court of public opinion of being prejudiced against the wrong group. They said he is “dividing” Canada, but while his comments may have been agreed with by a portion of Canada, the firing of Cherry has signaled that you are free to believe whatever you want until those in charge of cancel culture deem it inappropriate.
Cherry is what some consider a Canadian “nationalist,” similar to how some label Trump an American nationalist. Cherry advocates for the citizens of Canada above those who come to Canada to play hockey or reap the benefits of Canadian freedom. He defends the traditions and culture of Canada as it has been. It doesn’t mean he is right, it is just who he is and has been for his entire life.
Sportsnet has made their decision, but what will their way forward be? And Canadians? The culture of the sport? Will hockey go the path of the NFL, NBA, and other leagues that forsake its fans and sensibility to chase every woke and politically correct cause to the point of their detriment? It seems the league is going that way. Conservatives need to care about these cultural cancellations because, along with each one comes further dominance and control at the hands of virtue-signalers who are forcing their views on others in the name of tolerance and inclusivity.
Joseph Koss works for Vought Strategies and is a lifelong hockey fan, player, and youth coach. He lives in Michigan with his wife and five children.
