During the third period of Saturday’s game between the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks, Capitals right winger Devante Smith-Pelly was on the receiving end of a racially-charged taunt while serving a penalty for fighting.
According to the Washington Post, Smith-Pelly became upset when a fan sitting near the penalty box directed a chant of “basketball, basketball, basketball” towards him. United Center security removed four fans from the game as a result of the incident, and following the game Capitals head coach Barry Trotz called the behavior “disgusting.”
“There’s absolutely no place in the game of hockey or our country for racism,” Trotz said. “I think it’s disgusting, and there’s no place for it. Athletes in our country don’t deserve that. It just shows ignorance.”
Smith-Pelly did not speak to reporters following the game, with Trotz saying that the forward was visibly upset. Smith-Pelly, who has been in the NHL since the 2011-12 season, is one of two Black players on the Capitals roster with defenseman Madison Bowey being the other.
Also, a statement was released via the Blackhawks’ Twitter account denouncing the behavior of the ejected fans.
“We were made aware of an incident at tonight’s game involving a small group of attendees who made harmful comments directed at Washington Capitals player Devante Smith-Pelly,” a Hawks spokesperson said. “The fans were immediately removed and we apologize to Smith-Pelly and the Washington Capitals organization. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for everyone who attends our games and these actions will never be tolerated.”
According to the Washington Post, Smith-Pelly became upset when a fan sitting near the penalty box directed a chant of “basketball, basketball, basketball” towards him. United Center security removed four fans from the game as a result of the incident, and following the game Capitals head coach Barry Trotz called the behavior “disgusting.”
“There’s absolutely no place in the game of hockey or our country for racism,” Trotz said. “I think it’s disgusting, and there’s no place for it. Athletes in our country don’t deserve that. It just shows ignorance.”
Smith-Pelly did not speak to reporters following the game, with Trotz saying that the forward was visibly upset. Smith-Pelly, who has been in the NHL since the 2011-12 season, is one of two Black players on the Capitals roster with defenseman Madison Bowey being the other.
Also, a statement was released via the Blackhawks’ Twitter account denouncing the behavior of the ejected fans.
“We were made aware of an incident at tonight’s game involving a small group of attendees who made harmful comments directed at Washington Capitals player Devante Smith-Pelly,” a Hawks spokesperson said. “The fans were immediately removed and we apologize to Smith-Pelly and the Washington Capitals organization. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for everyone who attends our games and these actions will never be tolerated.”
