Canada coach Jon Cooper issues stern message to fans after anthem controversy
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Canada coach Jon Cooper loves the competition of the 4 Nations Faceoff, but has a clear message to anyone thinking of disrespecting the national anthem.
Controversy continues to follow professional sports, notably hockey, during the performances of the American national anthem.
While the controversial booing during the performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" hasn't appeared to be as strong, it's still very noticeable as evidenced on Thursday night before the Americans faced Finland.
Canada coach Jon Cooper, who routinely hears the American anthem as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, understands fans booing rival players like William Nylander and Auston Matthews.
But Cooper has a stern message for anyone who is thinking of bringing politics into the situation ahead of tonight's game against the Americans (8:00 PM, ESPN, ABC).
Hopefully, it doesn't happen.
I think people have their personal feelings, and sometimes those feelings get mixed up when politics and sports collide. For me, the NHL is great because it brings together players from so many different countries. When they wear the home jersey, everyone cheers for them, but when they put on the away jersey, they get booed.
And I'm okay with that-like when William Nylander got booed during that game in Sweden. He wasn't being booed because he's Swedish; he was booed because he plays for the Leafs. That kind of interaction is just part of the game.
But when it comes to booing the anthem and bringing politics into it, that's different. These players are representing their countries, and that should be something to celebrate. Mixing those two things together clouds the issue.
I think people have their personal feelings, and sometimes those feelings get mixed up when politics and sports collide. For me, the NHL is great because it brings together players from so many different countries. When they wear the home jersey, everyone cheers for them, but when they put on the away jersey, they get booed.
And I'm okay with that-like when William Nylander got booed during that game in Sweden. He wasn't being booed because he's Swedish; he was booed because he plays for the Leafs. That kind of interaction is just part of the game.
But when it comes to booing the anthem and bringing politics into it, that's different. These players are representing their countries, and that should be something to celebrate. Mixing those two things together clouds the issue.
Despite Cooper's message, there remains a high possibility of a hostile environment in Bell Centre for tonight's game.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 15 | 154 ANSWERS Canada coach Jon Cooper issues stern message to fans after anthem controversy Do you agree with Canada coach Jon Cooper's stance on the anthem booing controversy? | ||
| Yes, it's disrespectful | 142 | 92.2 % |
| No, fans can boo | 12 | 7.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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