Jim Hughson apologizes for comments regarding Auston Matthews' allegations
During the Toronto Maple Leafs’ season opener on Oct. 2, Sportsnet announcer Jim Hughson made a controversial comment surrounding the allegations around Auston Matthews and a past situation involving Patrick Kane.
Matthews was in the spotlight after being accused of disorderly conduct just days before, then came out and scored two goals in the first two periods of Toronto’s first game. Hughson compared Matthews’ two-goal performance to when Kane won the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Stanley Cup after some previous indiscretions:
"When I thought about that, I looked back to 2012 and thought about Patrick Kane, 24-year-old for the Chicago Blackhawks, got into a little trouble with too many cameras around in Wisconsin that summer, and what did he do? He came back and was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner and won the Stanley Cup (in 2013). And that's how you put a little problem behind you."
"That's how you put a little problem behind you." Big yikes from Jim Hughson pic.twitter.com/C1fSHRrOIO
— Tom Urtz Boooonier 👻 (@TomUrtzJr) October 3, 2019
Many people on social media called for Hughson’s removal from Sportsnet over these remarks. Two weeks later, Hughson apologized live on air during an Oct. 16 broadcast.
"Fans, on a recent broadcast I made some comments about Auston Matthews and his legal situation over the summer and after some reflection, the comments were, in my opinion, inappropriate, but I take responsibility and I want to apologize."
... https://t.co/RJkQPGiPcg pic.twitter.com/KnnBNt8kBF
— David Nestico (@davidnestico200) October 16, 2019
Matthews is due to appear in court in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Oct. 22.
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