Smith-Pelly comments on the racial taunts Blackhawks fans chanted at him Saturday night

BarDown Staff

TSN/Instagram

Saturday night in Chicago, we were reminded why incredible initiatives like Hockey Is For Everyone month continue to exist.

Four Blackhawks fans were ejected from the game after getting into a verbal altercation with Devante Smith-Pelly of the Capitals and what they were saying to the 25-year-old was awful.

Four #Blackhawks fans were ejected after getting in an altercation with Devante Smith-Pelly on Saturday.

A Capitals spokesperson confirmed that the fans were chanting, 'basketball, basketball' at him.

We can’t say this enough. #HockeyIsForEveryone https://t.co/fVSsrHOmn2 pic.twitter.com/PWzBMEjMMo
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 18, 2018

Fans next to the penalty box said "basketball, basketball, basketball" to Smith-Pelly when he was in the penalty box, according to a Caps spokesman. DSP was understandably upset. The off-ice official confirmed what happened and the fans were booted. That's the holdup for Trotz.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 18, 2018

Statement on the incident at tonight's game pic.twitter.com/7o02AaLQwz
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 18, 2018

NHL PR just released the following statement on the incident last night in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/QGDwg1MPjd
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) February 18, 2018

After the incident occurred, Washington head coach Barry Trotz commented on what happened and had some strong words for those fans that were kicked out.

#Capitals coach Barry Trotz sounded off about the four fans in Chicago making racist remarks to Devante Smith-Pelly. . #HockeyIsForEveryone

A post shared by TSN (@tsn_official) on Feb 18, 2018 at 8:09am PST

On Sunday, Smith-Pelly spoke to the media for the first time about what happened and how he felt.

Smith-Pelly confirmed it was "basketball" that those fans were chanting at him last night. "I mean, it's pretty obvious what that means. It's not really a secret. It's just one word, and that's all it takes, whether it's that word or any other word. I got the idea."
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 18, 2018

Smith-Pelly: "It's sad that athletes like myself 30, 40 years ago were standing in the same spot saying the same thing. You'd think there'd be some sort of change or progression."
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 18, 2018

After DSP was drafted by Anaheim in 2010, played in a rookie tournament in Penticton, B.C. Heard a similar "basketball" comment. He was angry, but didn't tell anyone. But Saturday night ... "We're at a time now where we can't brush it under the rug,"
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 18, 2018

Like Smith-Pelly said, it's important to not sweep things like this under the rug because obviously people need to be held accountable for their actions, but more importantly because incidents like these need to stop. The only way that can happen is if incidents like these aren't ignored and brushed off so we as a society can strive to make sure they never happen again.

Also, as for the suggestion that this could be a "distraction" to the team, that's obviously bullshit. DSP was in the penalty box because he fought Murphy, sticking up for Oshie after a big hit. Tom Wilson today: "You don't want to sweep this under the rug. It's too important."
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 18, 2018

We all have role to play in making the great sport of Hockey even Greater.
Safer. @NHL @NHLNetwork .

One Love,
Kevin. pic.twitter.com/ayoke8JOH9
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) February 18, 2018

Hockey is for everyone. If you think black athletes should only play basketball, than you clearly don’t know much about sports. There’s no room for racism in the rink or anywhere.
— Jt brownov (@JTBrown23) February 18, 2018

Smith-Pelly clearly has the support of his teammates, coaches, other players, and the entire hockey world and rightly so because hockey is for everyone and nobody should be treated the way he was.

(H/T: Isabelle Khurshudyan)