He’s a national icon. Donald S. Cherry. When he talks, people listen. He constantly goes close to that invisible “line” and sometimes crosses it. Crosses it like he did on Thursday night.
In Cherry’s segment: Coach’s Corner, watched by millions of Canadians every Saturday night, (Note: This time it was a Thursday because it was the season opener) Cherry sounds off on hockey issues in an opinion-filled segment where Cherry often yells, tells off Ron MacLean and pronounces players’ names wrong.
On Thursday, Cherry sounded off on three former enforcers (players whose primary role on their team was to fight), calling them “hypocrites” and “pukes”. The players Cherry mentioned (by name, on national television) were Stu Grimson, Chris Nilan, and Jim Thompson.
Grimson and Nilan are calling for an apology on Hockey Night in Canada because they claim they have never said the things they are accused of.
Today on Sportsnet FAN 590, Toronto’s biggest sports radio station, Grimson was on air and likened Cherry to a car crash, where you can’t help but look, and like an old uncle who you don’t really listen to. Grimson also asked if he might have a case of slander against Cherry.
I like Don just as much as the next guy, and I think he (and his suits) are very entertaining, but if he is going to spread false information and damage people personally, I think it’s time for him to go. I’m very disappointed in CBC. I thought they had higher standards than this. I understand it’s only Don, but with an audience like he has, he needs to be held accountable too. Apologize and set the record straight, so we can still watch your ridiculous segment every Saturday night. And keep it classy from now on. Check your facts, and don’t attack people personally because you’re angry about an issue.
Check out the rant for yourself here. The part in question is near the end of the segment.
