Sportsnet apologized Sunday for hockey commentator Don Cherry's televised rant about his belief that new immigrants don't wear poppies, and in turn don't support veterans -- comments that sparked a swift backlash from the public, politicians and the NHL.
The station's apology was echoed by "Coach's Corner" co-host Ron MacLean in a segment that aired at the beginning of a Sunday evening broadcast, saying Cherry's remarks don't represent his own views or those of parent company Rogers Media.
"Don's discriminatory comments are offensive and they do not represent our values and what we stand for as a network," Sportsnet President Bart Yabsley said in a statement earlier Sunday. "We have spoken with Don about the severity of this issue and we sincerely apologize for these divisive remarks."
Statement from Sportsnet: pic.twitter.com/QZ76r9Y7sb
— Sportsnet PR (@SportsnetPR) November 10, 2019
MacLean also shouldered some of the responsibility in his statement.
"Don Cherry made remarks which were hurtful, discriminatory, which were flat out wrong ... I owe you an apology, too. I sat there, did not catch it, did not respond," MacLean said.
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
"Last night was a really great lesson to Don and me. We were wrong, and I sincerely apologize. I wanted to thank you for calling me and Don on that last night."
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
A spokesman for Sportsnet declined to comment on why Cherry himself didn't make the apology.
Cherry, 85, seemingly singled out new immigrants in Toronto and Mississauga, Ont., where he lives, for not honouring Canada's veterans and dead soldiers during his weekly Coach's Corner segment on Hockey Night in Canada.
Don Cherry’s rant on immigrants:
— Rosa Hwang (@journorosa) November 10, 2019
“You people... love our way of life, love our milk and honey. At least you could pay a couple of bucks for poppies or something like that. These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada.”
Ron MacLean nodded and gave a thumbs up. pic.twitter.com/OXnIwV1n9T
"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."
Cherry did not respond to multiple phone calls seeking comment.
Don, let me introduce you to “#youpeople”
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) November 10, 2019
My great grandfather, Hira Singh, who served in WW1 & WW2 under the British.
We honour all who served. #RemembranceSunday pic.twitter.com/pNeBlJMC4R
All sorts of people have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of Canada.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) November 10, 2019
Women, immigrants, LGBTQ2S Cdns, Indigenous people.
There is no "#youpeople”. We’re all as Canadian as the next. We honour all who served.
That's what Canada is all about. #RemembranceSunday
The National Hockey League said in a statement that Cherry's remarks were "offensive and contrary to the values we believe in."
WATCH: Coach's Corner co-host Ron MacLean has apologized to Canadians for the comments Don Cherry made regarding immigrants, saying in part, "I sat there, did not catch and did not respond" pic.twitter.com/k2Zzbu8UYe
— NEWS 1130 (@NEWS1130) November 10, 2019
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie called his comments "despicable."
"We're proud of diverse cultural heritage and we'll always stand up for it," she said on Twitter. "New immigrants enrich our country for the better. We're all Canadians and wear our poppies proudly."
Don Cherry, I proudly wear my poppy to honour the sacrifice of our soldiers. Their sacrifice meant that all Canadians, including Canadians like me who came to our country with very little, have the opportunity to succeed. Dividing Canadians like you did moves us all backwards.
— Amarjeet Sohi (@SohiAmarjeet) November 10, 2019
Toronto Mayor John Tory implored Cherry to come to Old City Hall on Remembrance Day to "see thousands of Canadians of all ages, nationalities, faiths and backgrounds" who honour veterans.
"Don Cherry is way off base to question the devotion of newer Canadians to the very same veterans and the sacrifices we will honour tomorrow on Remembrance Day," Tory said in a statement.
Don Cherry is way off base to question the devotion of newer Canadians to the very same veterans and the sacrifices we will honour tomorrow on Remembrance Day. His comments are unfair and just plain wrong.
— John Tory (@JohnTory) November 10, 2019
"His comments are unfair and just plain wrong."
Former Liberal MP Bob Rae also weighed in.
"Cherry's remarks were ignorant and prejudiced, and at this point in our history can't go without comment."
Good to have this reminder after Don Cherry’s comments last night. Cherry’s remarks were ignorant and prejudiced, and at this point in our history can’t go without comment. https://t.co/ELRHfFdBsF
— Bob Rae (@BobRae48) November 10, 2019
Outrage was building online on Sunday with many on Twitter calling for Cherry to be fired.
Yet hundreds of social media users supported Cherry's comments. Some said they wanted more people to wear poppies, while others pointed fingers at immigrants.
Good to have this reminder after Don Cherry’s comments last night. Cherry’s remarks were ignorant and prejudiced, and at this point in our history can’t go without comment. https://t.co/ELRHfFdBsF
— Bob Rae (@BobRae48) November 10, 2019
Rumours circulated about the possibility of Cherry being cut from Coach's Corner earlier this year after a Toronto Sun columnist wrote that his return to the show had not been confirmed by the summer.
Cherry said at the time that he was not retiring from the decades-old show yet.
Hockey Night in Canada used to be a long-time CBC Saturday night staple. The show and its games moved to Sportsnet when Rogers landed a 12-year, $5.2 billion national broadcast rights deal with the NHL that began in 2014.
The show is still broadcast on CBC in a sub-licensing deal with Rogers Media, which owns Sportsnet. But the show is run by Sportsnet and filmed in its studio in the CBC building in Toronto.
Don Cherry stirs controversy with rant on immigrants not wearing poppies. “You people love... that come here.. you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you could pay a couple of bucks for a poppy...” #HNIC pic.twitter.com/r3WQ0ZalaJ
— Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali) November 10, 2019
"As Rogers Sportsnet is the national rights holder for NHL Hockey in Canada, CBC has no purview over any editorial (choice of commentators or what they say) with respect to Hockey Night in Canada," CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson said in an email.
I admit it, I sucked at sports.
— Charlie Angus NDP (@CharlieAngusNDP) November 10, 2019
I was the kid yelled at by coaches for not being "tough enough" to take a puck in the face.
Every time I hear Don Cherry it brings me back to that asinine machismo.
Sports can divide or bring people together.
Time for the dinosaur graveyard pal pic.twitter.com/gRN0fU0uRz
If you have a @Rogers cellphone, please know that your supporting racists like Don Cherry when you pay your monthly bill. #youpeople #cancelRogers #FireDonCherry
— Rob Gill (@vote4robgill) November 10, 2019