The unfortunate cult of Don Cherry
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and not neccessarily reflect the opinions of Mars’ Hill.
Photo credit: Kirk Anderson
Don Cherry is refreshing. While just about every other sports analyst chooses to maintain the status quo in fear of offending anyone Cherry has openly decided to remain politically incorrect. Cherry was first ever sports analyst to be given a six second tape delay and his ramblings about “the good ole days” and his horrific pronunciations of European surnames never ceases to entertain. Cherry has used his signature trademark Fabricland suits to land endorsements and become the face of the hockey media in Canada. However, Don Cherry has finally stepped over the line for good with his recent comments about head injuries in the National Hockey League.
Cherry’s comments were not overly offensive in themselves; rather it is the subject matter and Cherry’s insensitivity that has him in hot water again. If you did not catch Coach’s Corner recently, allow me to fill you in. I cannot quote or summarize over ten minutes of video in such a small word constraint but essentially Cherry believes that hitting is being wrongfully taken out of hockey, players today are soft, and everyone is overreacting to brain injuries among hockey players. This kind of vernacular is not uncommon from his mouth but what makes it so bad is that it is a response to something.
Cherry was saying these things in response to the tragic deaths of Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien, and Wade Belak. Boogaard, Rypien, Belak were all active NHL players who died this summer and in all three cases significant brain damage was believed to be a cause. Boogaard died from mixing unsafe amounts of painkillers with alcohol, Rypien committed suicide, and although unconfirmed Belak was believed to be a suicide as well. These three players had a few things in common outside of hockey; painkillers, alcohol, and degenerative brain issues potentially brought on from head injuries incurred from playing hockey.
Boogaard, Rypien, and Belak were all renowned as tough guys who got into a lot of fights and other activities that put both them and other players at risk. Cherry seems to love enforcers; to him fighting and rough play are essential parts of hockey. This is where Cherry could not be more wrong. The best hockey I have ever seen came at the 2010 Olympics. Featuring no fights, no post whistle scrums, no cheap shots, just good hockey. If you put any stock in television ratings, then you would believe that I am not alone. Over two thirds of Canadian citizens tuned in for the Gold Medal game and NBC drew the highest rating for hockey game in American history.
Unfortunately, Olympic hockey is not Cherry’s cup of tea. Worse still, Cherry has a gigantic following whom takes his word as final.
The NHL has taken upon itself to ban headshots from the game, ensuring the safety and long-term health of its players. Cherry needs to do his part and get in line with these changes. Until all parties are on board with improved safety in the NHL, more players will have their careers cut short by brain trauma. I just hope it does not take a fourth player ending up in a casket to convince Cherry to change his mind.
Cameron Stuerle
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