CBC puts Cherry on 7-second delay (Sports commentator smacked for calling French wimps)

TORONTO - The CBC has decided to put an end to "reprehensible" remarks by Hockey Night in Canada commentator Don Cherry.

Harold Redekopp, the executive vice-president of CBC Television, says the network will put Cherry on a seven-second delay after he made "inappropriate and reprehensible personal" comments during the broadcast on Jan. 24.

During the first period intermission Cherry spoke out about players wearing visors on their helmets. In full flight he said, "most of the guys that wear them are Europeans or French guys ..."

The remark was roundly criticized by French language groups across the country. Canada's Official Languages Commissioner Dyane Adam also noticed. A spokesperson said the commissioner feels it's an "important enough issue that she's going to investigate" whether Cherry's remarks violate the Official Languages Act.

In his news release on Friday, Redekopp said CBC Television "categorically rejects and denounces his opinions," while at the same time acknowledging that Cherry has been "an important part of the Canadian hockey scene as a player, coach and commentator over the past five decades.

"Fans across the country have tuned in to Hockey Night in Canada's Coach's Corner for over 20 years because of his insights and understanding of the game," the release said.

But, Redekopp says, Cherry's remarks were "inappropriate and reprehensible opinion as part of his discussion about the use of visors." His comments on Jan. 24, said Redekopp, "stepped beyond the role."

Cherry has been in trouble many times before for his controversial comments, which aren't limited to hockey.

Last year, he and host Ron MacLean stirred up a hornets' nest when they spent an entire Coach's Corner discussing Canada's decision not to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

In 1998, CBC ombudsman David Bazay ruled Cherry went too far when he ranted about Jean-Luc Brassard being selected as Canada's flag-bearer at Nagano Olympics. Cherry called the Olympic gold medalist "a French guy, some skier that nobody knows about."

Cherry has also taken on Quebec nationalists, saying "they don't like the Canadian flag but they want our money, we bail them out. I've never seen such a bunch of whiners in my life."

The CBC will now put Coach's Corner on a seven-second delay. "This practice is common on many live broadcasts and is in effect immediately," Redekopp said.

The controversy swept across Parliament on Friday, too. The Bloc Québécois called Cherry's remarks racist. And Denis Coderre the minister responsible for la Francophonie, says he's fed up with Cherry.

"Frankly, I think that when you are talking about it and calling the Frenchmen wimps, I mean it's unacceptable."

NDP Leader Jack Layton said he was annoyed by the implication about French Canadian hockey players. "One of my most vivid memories is going to the Montreal Forum with my dad, at age six, and seeing Boom Boom Geoffrion, Maurice Richard, the Pocket Rocket [Henri Richard], playing the most amazing hockey. They are some of the greatest hockey players in Canadian history."

But Conservative MP Peter MacKay said people are overreacting. "It seems to be more of a commentary on their style of play, as opposed to anything to do with their language or ethnic origins."

Coach's Corner won't be seen this weekend. The CBC will broadcast the annual NHL All-Star game. Cherry will return to his regular slot on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.

A Statement from the Executive Vice-President of CBC Television

February 6, 2004

I want to make clear the CBC Television position with respect to Don Cherry.

Mr. Cherry has been an important part of the Canadian hockey scene as a player, coach and commentator over the past five decades. Fans across the country have tuned into Hockey Night in Canada's Coach's Corner for over 20 years because of his insights and understanding of the game.

Mr. Cherry's role on Coach's Corner is, and has always been, as a hockey commentator. However, during the January 24th show he unacceptably stepped beyond that role by expressing an inappropriate and reprehensible personal opinion as part of his discussion about the use of visors.

CBC Television categorically rejects and denounces the personal opinions Mr. Cherry expressed during the segment. Comments such as those expressed during the show cannot be repeated and will not be tolerated.

CBC Television must manage its airwaves responsibly. In order to do this, CBC Sports will broadcast Coach's Corner on a seven-second delay. This practice is common on many live broadcasts and is in effect immediately.

Additionally, CBC Sports management have reviewed the January 24th broadcast with Mr. Cherry, and have his assurances that comments of this nature will not be repeated.

Harold Redekopp
Executive Vice-President
CBC Television

CHERRY AT HIS RIPEST

The CBC has placed Hockey Night in Canada commentator Don Cherry on a seven-second tape-delay and reprimanded him over his remark that only "Europeans and French guys" in the NHL routinely wear visors. Here's a look at some other controversies involving Cherry and the Coach's Corner segment:

November 2003: On Coach's Corner, Cherry scolds Sidney Crosby, the 16-year-old centre considered to be the hottest hockey prospect since Mario Lemieux. "I like the kid," Cherry began. "I see the way he plays and everything. But I've seen him now after goals. He slides on the ice on his knees. You talk about a hot dog."

October 2003: Cherry uses his Coach's Corner segment on Hockey Night in Canada to blast Toronto Maple Leafs management. "It's hard to be a Leafs fan. They do things that upset you so much," Cherry said of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan for preventing the club from signing players.

May 2003: Ontario's Alcohol and Gaming Commission says there's nothing wrong with Cherry appearing in commercials promoting Molson's mini-kegs of beer. A public school trustee had said using Cherry to sell beer was wrong because she considers him a role model for Canadian children.

March 2003: The CBC receives 1,500 calls and e-mails after Cherry and sidekick Ron MacLean debate on the Iraq war on Hockey Night in Canada.

November 2002: In an interview on the Jim Rome syndicated radio show, Cherry says the new NHL rules are ruining hockey. "The next thing is going to be skirts, I'm telling you."

September 2000: As the Sydney Olympics near their end, Cherry blasts the federal government for not supporting Canada's athletes. "Countries that we're sending care packages to are beating us in the gold. It's ridiculous."

May 1999: Cherry takes square aim at Peter Forsberg, showing a clip on Coach's Corner of the Swede hitting Chris Chelios from behind. "He's a back-stabbing weasel. And there should be something done about it. This guy, because his name is Forsberg, he doesn't get suspended."

April 1998: Cherry on visors in Coach's Corner. "Brett Lindros, career ended. (Paul) Kariya, out for the year. (Pat) Lafontaine, out for this year. What do they have in common? You know, visors."

April 1998: CBC ombudsman David Bazay says Cherry went too far in his rant against Jean-Luc Brassard, Olympic freestyle skier and Canada's flag-bearer in Nagano, Japan. Cherry called the defending Olympic and world champion "a French guy, some skier that nobody knows about." Cherry reacts to the ruling by saying: "If they want to knock a right-wing guy, I'm the guy. But I won't change. If I did that I'd be lying."

February 1998: In Nagano, Cherry blasts Quebec in the wake of comments by a Bloc Quebecois MP that there were too many Canadian flags at various Olympic sites. "It's a funny thing they don't want the Canadian flag but they want our money. I've never seen such a bunch of whiners in my life."

January 1997: Cherry says on Coach's Corner that jailed sex offender Graham James, a former junior hockey coach, should be "drawn and quartered." James subsequently phoned the Calgary Sun from prison to say he is living in fear because of Cherry's comments.

September 1996: Cherry lambastes Ottawa hockey fans for booing the Americans and cheering the Russians at a World Cup game. "Don't do it again, it was a disgrace. It's the first time I've ever been ashamed of something in Canada. Don't do it again."

"...I don't fight Euros."

OHL player suspended after `Euros' comment
Associated Press Posted on Mon, Feb. 02, 2004

PLYMOUTH, Mich. - Plymouth Whalers defenseman James Wisniewski has been suspended for five games by the Ontario Hockey League for using the word "Euros" during a game.

During Plymouth's 7-4 loss Friday to visiting Owen Sound, Stefan Ruzicka challenged Wisniewski to a fight, and Wisniewski reportedly responded by saying he did not fight "Euros."

The comment was overheard by a linesman. Wisniewski, Plymouth's captain, received a gross misconduct penalty.

Ruzicka, a third-round pick by Philadelphia in last year's draft, is a native of Nitra, Slovakia. Wisniewski said he didn't think he was being insensitive, and Plymouth coach Mike Vellucci agreed.

"I don't think he meant it in a harmful way," Vellucci told the Detroit Free Press.

Ted Baker, the OHL's director of hockey operations, said the league does not tolerate comments directed at players based on their origin, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Baker said there was no opportunity for Wisniewski to appeal.

"It was a transgression," Baker said of Wisniewski's comment. "I'll leave it to others whether it was major or minor."

Wisniewski began the suspension Saturday.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.