Patrik Laine of the Columbus Blue Jackets has been through a lot lately, facing injuries and the loss of his father.
Recently, he took a break from his team to focus on his mental health through the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program. However, a comment made about his absence has sparked a response from Laine on social media, leading to some controversy.
During the B & B RoundTable show, a podcast about the Columbus Blue Jackets, one of the hosts made a remark about the team's injuries. She said,
"Right now it just feels like this team is dead in the water. Fantilli is hurt, Chinakhov's hurt, and Laine's out because he's contemplating a Remington retirement."
The term "Remington retirement" was unfamiliar to many, including myself, before hearing this clip. However, given Laine's leave of absence, it was clear what the host meant. It was a distasteful comment, and Laine expressed his disappointment, stating,
"This is just not okay."
In response to the situation, one of the hosts announced her departure from the show, acknowledging her lack of understanding of the term and its offensive nature. She stated, "S-----e is not a joke."
It's unclear whether there will be any repercussions for the person who made the comment. It's unfortunate how some people fail to see professional athletes as regular individuals who face similar challenges as everyone else.
Regardless of opinions on Laine's performance, such comments are unacceptable, and an apology is warranted.
