Don Cherry is known for politically incorrect commentary. But his most recent comments seem to have brought his famous 'Coaches Corner' segment to an abrupt end. In a discussion about wearing poppies for Remembrance Day, Cherry said this:
“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 Saturday night. “These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price.”
After a deluge of complaints, Sportsnet, which produces Coaches Corner, cut ties with Cherry. On the streets of Kelowna, opinions are split.
Cherry is not apologetic. “I did not say minorities, I did not say immigrants. If you watch ‘Coach’s Corner,’ I did not say that. I said ‘everybody.’ And I said ‘you people,'” Cherry said in a subsequent interview.
“I know what I said and I meant it. Still, do. Everybody in Canada should wear a poppy to honour our fallen soldiers,” Cherry told The Canadian Press, saying Sportsnet fired him.
“Coach’s Corner” and HNIC are broadcast on CBC in a sub-licensing deal with Rogers Media, which owns Sportsnet.
“Don Cherry’s remarks on Saturday night were divisive, discriminatory and offensive and we respect Sportsnet’s decision that this is the right time for Don to step down,” CBC said via Twitter from its Hockey Night in Canada account.
ICYMI here's Don Cherry being a POS by shaming immigrants for not buying poppies pic.twitter.com/kwTugoZGI6
— Eduardo Razo (@_eddierazo) November 10, 2019
