‘Shame on you’: Cherry vs MacLean, biggest feud in Canada’s culture war, blows up big time

As for his own part, MacLean said, “The attack on immigrants was improper and I was not happy with it — it goes against my ethics. I was able to take my stand and he was able to take his, but I was also playing the game and that card allowed Don to gracefully get out — he could go out on what was for him a high, (saying stuff) that would get you elected President of the U.S. now.”

Following MacLean’s comments, hockey legend Bobby Orr, who played for Cherry in Boston, said, “Suggesting Don Cherry used encouraging people to wear poppies on Remembrance Day as an exit strategy from Coach’s Corner, revealing he had pneumonia in 2019 and that he doesn’t have many friends, I have only one thing to say to you Ron MacLean: Shame on you.”

1. In 2019, Don Cherry was not complaining about immigration. He was complaining about immigrants who come here for a better life, but don’t respect Canadian traditions, such as the poppy. That is how I heard it.

It was only with the rise of Trump and his perceived threat to Canada that many Canadians suddenly rediscovered their patriotism. Perhaps if many of the same people now wrapping themselves in the flag weren’t leading the charge to fire Cherry they’d have more credibility.

3. The firing of Cherry remains an open wound in Canada. MacLean just gave it a good poke. He’s getting plenty of pushback on it just now, as seen by Bobby Orr’s comment.

The latest turn comes from the Toronto Sun’s Joe Warmington, him reporting that after Joyce’s story appeared, MacLean went over to Cherry’s house to apologize.

I’ll leave the last word here to Warmington, who has done much to get out Cherry’s side of the story over the years.

Writes the Sun columnist: “Cherry should be bestowed every hockey accolade there is and the Order of Canada, too — for his hockey contributions, but also for his avid support of Canada, its military, police, first responders and nationalism. There is nobody more about Canadian hockey or Canadian patriotism than him. On top of that, he should be reinstated by Sportsnet so he can retire with the honour he deserves after six decades as a player, coach and broadcaster. No one is saying Cherry should go back on air, but they could do it symbolically. They could do a special segment with Cherry and MacLean one last time on his porch, as I have done numerous times since they threw him under the bus.”

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