After P.K. Subban scored the game-winning goal in double overtime of last night’s Game 1 between the Bruins and Canadiens, several ignorant Bruins fans took to Twitter to spew hate at the Canadiens defenseman, who happens to be black. And by “several,” I mean enough to reportedly get the n-word trending in Boston.
And by “enough,” I mean so many that Bruins president Cam Neely actually had to release a statement addressing it on Friday afternoon:
“The racist, classless views expressed by an ignorant group of individuals following Thursday’s game via digital media are in no way a reflection of anyone associated with the Bruins organization.”
Bruins fans in the building for Subban’s game-winning heroics didn’t exactly make their organization proud either, as they hurled trash and debris onto the ice following the game. As you can see in the GIF below, one fan hit managed to hit Subban with what looks to be a water bottle:
Though, unfortunately, this kind of stuff happens all over the place, it’s the second time in very recent memory it’s been associated with the Bruins. A similar reaction commenced when Washington Capitals forward Joel Ward ended the Bruins season with an overtime game-winner during a Game 7 in 2012.
It’s certainly not something that reflects well on an organization, especially when you consider the fact that multiple black players don the B’s sweater – including Subban’s brother, Malcolm.
It’s acceptable for Bruins fans to hate Subban, but hate him because he plays for your biggest rival. Hate him because he’s one of the best players in the league. Hate him because he always seems to come up with big-time goals against your team. Or hate him because he’s been known to get into your players’ heads. Hate him because he’s been known to dive to draw calls.
But don’t hate him because he’s black, because your team loses much more than a game when your ignorant ass pulls that card.
