Four Chicago Blackhawks fans may find themselves permanently banned from the United Center for hurling racially charged taunts towards Washington‘s Devante Smith-Pelly.
According to the Washington Post, the four racist shitheads took it upon themselves to chant “Basketball, basketball, basketball!” at Smith-Pelly during the third period of Chicago’s 7-1 win over the Capitals Saturday night.
Smith-Pelly, who’s one of approximately 30 black players in the NHL understandably took exception to the four clowns and proceeded to confront the fans with his stick from behind the glass. The penalty box official however notified United Center security and the four were removed from the building.
Two Smith-Pelly GIFs. First, you can see him hear someone say something to him, and he looks over at them. pic.twitter.com/LvwUgFl7AL
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) February 18, 2018
Last night’s incident though wasn’t the first time Smith-Pelly dealt with hecklers from the crowd. In fact two night’s ago while in Minnesota, Smith-Pelly appeared to squirt water at a fan who was taunting him while in the box. It’s not clear what the fan was saying however based on his reaction last night as opposed to two nights ago I’m going to make the assumption the fan in Minnesota wasn’t hurling anything racist at Smith-Pelly.
Nice technique, @smithpelly23! 💦💦💦 #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/HcmJKg9Ego
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 16, 2018
Anyways, Smith-Pelly apparently wasn’t in the mood to talk to the media after the game however Capitals head coach Barry Trotz made mention that Smith-Pelly was “upset” and that there’s “no place” for racism in hockey or “our country”.
“There’s absolutely no place in the game of hockey or our country for racism,” Capitals Coach Barry Trotz said after the game. “I think it’s disgusting, and there’s no place for it. Athletes in our country don’t deserve that. It just shows ignorance.”
Trotz said Smith-Pelly was “upset” after the game, so he hadn’t yet spoken to him, but some teammates met with Smith-Pelly after the game. February is the NHL’s Hockey Is For Everyone month, a campaign by the league that emphasizes inclusion.
The Blackhawks also released a statement regarding the incident:
“We were made aware of an incident at tonight’s game involving a small group of attendees who made harmful comments directed at Washington Capitals player Devante Smith-Pelly,” the Blackhawks said in a statement. “The fans were immediately removed and we apologize to Smith-Pelly and the Washington Capitals organization. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for everyone who attends out games and these actions will never be tolerated.”
The NHL also responded calling last night’s incident saying the League “condemns this unacceptable and reprehensible behavior.”
“Last night in Chicago, individuals directed racial taunts and abuse at Washington Capitals player Devante Smith-Pelly,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “The National Hockey League condemns this unacceptable and reprehensible behavior. The League fully supports the actions taken by the United Center and the Blackhawks to eject the offenders and would expect the same response to any similarly unacceptable behavior at any of our arenas.
“While this incident was isolated in nature, no player, coach, official or fan should ever have to endure such abuse at one of our games. The League will take steps to have our clubs remind all stakeholders that they are entitled to enjoy a positive environment – free from unacceptable, inappropriate, disruptive, inconsiderate or unruly behaviors or actions and may not engage in conduct deemed detrimental to that experience.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aoEo6o4_oc
