The National Hockey League has suspended Andrew Shaw of the Chicago Blackhawks for one game and fined him $5,000 after the forward hurled gay slurs at an official during a playoff loss on Tuesday.
“Fuck you, fucking faggot, fuck you,” Shaw yelled at the official after he was assessed with a two-minute interference penalty late in the third period.
After initially telling reporters that he didn’t know what he said during the game because “emotions were high,” the forward later issued an apology through the Blackhawks.
I am sincerely sorry for the insensitive remarks that I made last night while in the penalty box. When I got home and saw the video, it was evident that what I did was wrong, no matter the circumstances. I apologize to many people, including the gay and lesbian community, the Chicago Blackhawks organization, Blackhawks fans and anyone else I may have offended. I know my words were hurtful and I will learn from my mistake.
But the apology alone was not enough to save himself from punishment. Shaw will be forced to sit out of Game 5 of the playoffs, which is an elimination game for the Blackhawks — if they lose, their defense of the Stanley Cup is over.
This suspension is significant for the NHL, which let a player slide for a similar incident in the past. But now the league has a close relationship with You Can Play, an organization focused on ending homophobia in sports. In fact, just two weeks ago, the Blackhawks formed it own partnership with You Can Play and recorded a video in support of LGBT athletes and fans.
“We believe athletes should be judged by their character, work ethic, and talent,” Shaw’s teammate Scott Darling said in the video, “not their sexual orientation, or gender identity.”
You Can Play reached out to the league after Shaw’s slur on Tuesday night, and released the following statement after the punishment was announced:
“After four years of working with You Can Play, NHL players can no longer use ignorance as an excuse for not understanding the power of their words and the effect they have on their teammates, fans, and the LGBT community.”
#AndrewShaw #ChicagoBlackhawks #NHL #YouCanPlay pic.twitter.com/ucgRZ6jOB6
— You Can Play Project (@YouCanPlayTeam) April 20, 2016
The sports world still has a long way to go when it comes to LGBT issues, but it is promising to see professional leagues taking the use of homophobic language more seriously. Last December, the NBA suspended Rajon Rondo of the Sacramento Kings one game for yelling gay slurs at a referee. That referee, Bill Kennedy, ended up coming out of the closet just days later.
“While Mr. Shaw was apologetic and remorseful for both the offensive comments and the inappropriate gesture directed at the on-ice officials, he must be held accountable for his actions,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell. “The emotion of the moment cannot and will not be a mitigating factor for the conduct that is expected of an NHL player.”
The Blackhawks said the team was disappointed in Shaw’s comments and “will use this opportunity to further educate our players and organization moving forward.”