Ron MacLean Is Being Accused Of Making A Homophobic Remark During Hockey Night in Canada
Some people are calling for him to be fired.
Hockey Night in Canada is facing calls to fire host Ron MacLean, after he made a remark on air that some people are calling homophobic.
During Tuesday's broadcast of Game 4 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens, MacLean gave a controversial response to his colleague during the second intermission.
Directing the comment at Kevin Bieksa, MacLean said, "You have a photo of a guy with his tarp off, you're definitely positive for something."
The phrase "tarps off" is commonly used in hockey circles to refer to going shirtless.
Shortly after, some viewers took to social media to call for MacLean to be fired, describing his comment as "homophobic," and "cruel." However, others suggested that MacLean's comment may have been misunderstood or taken out of context.
MacLean's former co-host Don Cherry was fired from the same show after he was accused of delivering a xenophobic rant during a live broadcast in 2019.
Did Ron MacLean apologize?
According to LGBTQ+ advocacy organization You Can Play, which promotes inclusion and diversity in sports, MacLean apologized for his comment on Tuesday night.
The organization's vice-chair David Palumbo said the Hockey Night in Canada host "was apologetic and took ownership of [what he said,]" according to CBC News.
"I take him at his word," he added, describing MacLean as "a staunch ally when it comes to his historic support of the LGBTQ+ community."
Palumbo suggested that the host was able to provide some "extra context" related to what he'd said.