Fan Throws Banana Peel At Flyers’ Wayne Simmonds; Racist?

[Gravdigr]

Fan throws banana peel at Flyers’ Wayne Simmonds

The Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings played in a neutral site exhibition game Thursday night in London, Ontario. While the 4-3 win for the Red Wings was the result, the story was an apparent racist incident during the shootout.

Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds(notes) was in the middle of his shootout attempt when a fan inside the Labatt Centre threw a banana peel in his path. Simmonds, of African-Canadian decent, wasn't shaken by it and beat Red Wings goaltender Jordan Pearce(notes).

Simmonds, who grew up a little over two hours from London in Scarborough, took the high road talking about the incident after the game with the Philadelphia Daily News' Frank Seravalli:

"When you're a black man playing in a predominantly white man's sport, you've got to come to expect things like that," Simmonds said. "Over the past 23 years of my life, I've come to expect some things like that. But I'm older and more mature now, I kind of just left things roll off [my back]. I try not to think about stuff like that."

Sources told Seravalli that the perpetrator was not caught.

That kind of racism has been seen in hockey for far too long. Sadly, it's been prevalent in European soccer for some time causing FIFA to begin its "Let's Kick Racism Out of Football" campaign. Whether it's bananas or racist chants or taunts, it's sad that one idiot in the crowd decided that it was a good idea to put their ignorance on display.

Peter Luukko, president and COO of Comcast-Spectator (owners of the Flyers) issued the following statement on Thursday night:

"It appeared as though a fan threw an object onto the ice during the shootout. Unfortunately, we weren't able to identify the individual.

"We certainly don't condone such a foolish act [like this] as a player could potentially be seriously injured. This is ninth time we have played here in London and the fans have always been wonderful to us. The Flyers consider this our 'home away from home' and that's because this city, the fans and this spectacular arena have been so supportive of the Philadelphia Flyers."

On Friday morning, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement about the incident:

"We have millions of great fans who show tremendous respect for our players and for the game. The obviously stupid and ignorant action by one individual is in no way representative of our fans or the people of London, Ontario."

... as did London, Ontario Mayor Joe Fontana:

"As Mayor, and on behalf of Londoners, I am sending an apology to Wayne Simmonds and the Philadelphia Flyers organization regarding the incident at last night's exhibition game. It was a stupid and mindless act by a single individual, however it reflects badly on our entire community. London is a diverse and welcoming city and we like it that way."

Through the Flyers, Simmonds released his own statement putting the incident behind him and looking ahead:

"It was unfortunate that this incident happened but I am above this sort of stuff. This is something that is out of my control. Moving forward, this incident is something I will no longer comment on so I can just focus on playing hockey for the Philadelphia Flyers."

Ironically, Simmonds told CSN Philly earlier this week that racial negativity "really doesn't happen in Canada. That's pretty much the way it is."

Do you think this was a racist act? I mean, if the banana peel was thrown because he was black, then yeah, I get that. But, don't hockey fans just about everywhere throw shit on the ice? What's the arena where it's practically tradition to throw (what is it, now?) a salmon, or trout, or something out on the ice? An octopus once.

Or am I completely unaware of the racist implications of a banana peel in hockey? How is it racist? I think I'm missing something.

[Gravdigr]

BTW, kudos to Mr. Simmonds for his responses and reaction.

[footfootfoot]

yeah, not as racist as throwing a watermelon, or fried chicken, or a banjo, or tap dancing shoes, or cotton, or a catfish, or a Cadillac, or a welfare check, or giant gold hoop earrings, or untied Nike Air Jordans and pants hanging down below your butt, or I don't know a sports scholarship or something.

Jim Crow Museum of racist memorabilia:
http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/

[Undertoad]

Happens all the time in other parts of the world...

Agreed, Mr. Simmonds handled it exactly right, much respect, thanks for passing this along Digr.

[infinite monkey]

Class act.

And I love Canada.

[classicman]

[quote]

An octopus once.

Thats very common during Detroit Red Wings home playoff games...



As far as the banana peels... I googled it and found
this link (EXTREMELY RACIST)
It appears to be some idiots idea of ???? and happens only/primarily toward black players.


On the other hand, at least there is finally something positive about an athlete who plays in Philly.

[footfootfoot]

[quote=classicman;758100]

As far as the banana peels... I googled it and found
this link (EXTREMELY RACIST)

Holy crap. Here is a highly ironic quote (bold mine) from their FAQ:

What if I see something offensive?

You will find 'Report' links in many places throughout the board. These links allow you to alert the board staff to anything which you find to be offensive, objectionable or illegal

What if you don't see something offensive? is more like it. Just when I thought the world wasn't as bad as all that.

[classicman]

zactly... I warned ya though.

[TheMercenary]

Heard about this on the radio this am... that fan would have gotten his ass beat if it was in the US IMHO.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

How is it racist?

The implication is that black people are lower on the evolutionary scale, closer to gorillas. Which is funny (in the sick way) because the people that believe this don't believe in evolution.

[HungLikeJesus]

I wonder what they mean by 'fan.'

[Gravdigr]

One of my neighbors 'splained the banana/monkey angle to me.

I honestly did not make the connection.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

One of my neighbors 'splained the banana/monkey angle to me.

I honestly did not make the connection.

Really? Wow. Maybe it's less of a thing over there. It used to be pretty common here in football, when a black player was on the pitch. The opposing fans would throw bananas onto the pitch and make monkey noises.

[Undertoad]

Less of a thing, no: it's not a thing here at all. We've spent the last 50 years beating ourselves up silly over racism and it appears to have worked.

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Less of a thing, no: it's not a thing here at all. We've spent the last 50 years beating ourselves up silly over racism and it appears to have worked.

... you can't really believe any part of this is true, can you ?
.