He’s encouraging people to remember and honour their veterans.  Could he be diplomatic about it?  Sure.  But he’s Don Cherry.  Next.

Posted by ThatGuy on 11/10/19 at 11:13 AM ET

Wear a Poppy!

Posted by Rumbear from Top O the Hasek, waiting for YzerMan Plan...... on 11/10/19 at 11:16 AM ET

It’s never good to make sweeping negative assumptions about
groups who are different.

And I’ve never been a fan of Cherry.

But his basic point of the importance of understanding
and respecting and actually showing some appreciation of
what came before and sacrifices made on behalf of a country that people
want to be able to join and benefit from and call their own, is valid.

It’s honorable to be open and embracing of difference but it’s also fair to wonder about the risks to a country - to national unity - of taking for granted or even being to dismissive of the shared patriotic glue that makes everyone Canadian or American, rather than just someone living in America or Canada. I’m not saying forced or mandatory patriotism - that’s against our values. But I think if you don’t like valuing and respecting true citizenship and belonging to a country, the alternative is most likely tribalism, based on characteristics which are not unifying and are not shared among all citizens.

Posted by lefty.30 on 11/10/19 at 11:27 AM ET

Statement from Sportsnet added to this post.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 11/10/19 at 12:24 PM ET

I was watching last night. I’m pretty sure my political leanings and Don’s are completely opposite. I found nothing he said last night to be offensive.

Don’s schtick isn’t quite as entertaining as it once was, but for me, it would be unfortunate if this is how it all ends.

The world of Twitter and other social media platforms are akin to to townsfolk with torches and pitchforks. People taking faux offense to whatever the latest perceived injustice. I am so tired of all of it.

Posted by Down River Dan on 11/10/19 at 01:10 PM ET

I was watching last night, and figured there would be some blowback over this. Sure enough.

What else I found surprising was Ron McLean’s reaction. Usually he is the ying to Don’s yang, especially when it comes to matters that dip their toes in potentially-political waters, but he seemed in complete agreement on this one.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie, MI on 11/10/19 at 02:33 PM ET

Statement from the NHL added to the post.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 11/10/19 at 02:51 PM ET

Don Cherry told it like it is last night.

Posted by bigfrog on 11/10/19 at 03:24 PM ET

I watched The Russian Five the other night; the choice Cherry excerpts were a solid display of xenophobic tendencies.

When an observation is led by the phrase “you people”, expect it’s validity to be called in to question.

Posted by Unhealthy Scratch on 11/10/19 at 04:53 PM ET

while on the topic of questionable validity, please replace it’s with its

Posted by Unhealthy Scratch on 11/10/19 at 04:58 PM ET

Except ts not about wearing a poppy. He’s using that as an excuse to vilify people he doesn’t like. He’s done it time and time again and takes issue with anyone who’s not a “good ole Canadian boy” and doesn’t fit his insular world view. This is not new for him.

But lets give him the benefit of the doubt and ignore the inflammatory “you people” language for a moment. Pretend this one time he’s not railing against people different from him. Why is it so important to wear a poppy and put on a show of patriotism? Yes, I know the history and the meaning, but not displaying one (or an American flag or any other device) does not mean a person has no respect for the troops or sacrifices made. It means they didn’t shell out any money to a someone selling a trinket. That’s all.

How about instead of attacking, try educating. Use the platform to explain why the issue is so important and teach people who may not be aware of the history and the meaning. Be inclusive instead of divisive.

Anyone without his history and maybe you give them a pass for a very poor choice of phrasing. But not Don. He’s shown himself to be a bigot. He and his opinions should not be involved with the league or with its broadcast partners and it’s long past time for him to be off the air.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 11/10/19 at 05:08 PM ET

I found two very reasonable points of view on this subject, each from a different perspective…

But his basic point of the importance of understanding and respecting and actually showing some appreciation of what came before and sacrifices made on behalf of a country that people want to be able to join and benefit from and call their own, is valid.

Posted by lefty.30 on 11/10/19 at 10:27 AM ET

...and…

How about instead of attacking, try educating. Use the platform to explain why the issue is so important and teach people who may not be aware of the history and the meaning. Be inclusive instead of divisive.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish

For me, Lefty correctly identifies the point that I think Cherry was trying to make. And Nate nails the way in which he should have made it.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids, MI on 11/10/19 at 05:33 PM ET

It’s pretty simple, really.. He’s paid to have a hockey platform, so if it’s not related he should not be talking about it on Hockey Night in Canada. It is not a news editorial or political platform.

Posted by Radioleg from Vancouver on 11/10/19 at 06:35 PM ET

....Use the platform to explain why the issue is so important and teach people who may not be aware of the history and the meaning….

Not trying to start a argument, but twice during the broadcast they aired a tape of Don in a Canadian cemetery in France and he explained the significance of the poppy as the camera panned thousands of tombstones. They have run this same clip for the past number of years.

Posted by Down River Dan on 11/10/19 at 06:50 PM ET

So, all you gracious, deep thinkers of all that passes will have a Poppy on , eh?

Posted by Rumbear from Top O the Hasek, waiting for YzerMan Plan...... on 11/10/19 at 09:57 PM ET

There were only two problems with what he said.

1) He’s a liar.
2) He’s racist.

He’s a liar because he lives in Toronto, and if you live in Toronto and actually look around most people DO wear poppies.
He’s a racist because he lives in Toronto, and if you live in Toronto and actually look around, 9 out of 10 people not wearing a poppy are white.

He is a vile piece of garbage who should have been put out to pasture long ago.

Posted by CharDeeMacDennis on 11/11/19 at 09:35 AM ET

Give Don enough rope and he’ll hang himself. I’d say the task has been accomplished.

The powers-that-be at Sportsnet now have their reason to get rid of him. The older crowd that will clamor to keep him around will look foolish doing so, guilt by association.

It was a good run, Grapes. The fact your mouth didn’t get you fired until you were 85 is nothing short of amazing.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste Marie, MI on 11/11/19 at 12:13 PM ET