TORONTO -- Sportsnet apologized Sunday for hockey commentator Don Cherry's televised rant about his belief that new immigrants don't wear poppies, and in turn don't support veterans -- comments that sparked a swift backlash from the public, politicians and the NHL.
The station's apology was echoed by "Coach's Corner" co-host Ron MacLean in a segment that aired at the beginning of a Sunday evening broadcast, saying Cherry's remarks don't represent his own views or those of parent company Rogers Media.
"Don's discriminatory comments are offensive and they do not represent our values and what we stand for as a network," Sportsnet President Bart Yabsley said in a statement earlier Sunday. "We have spoken with Don about the severity of this issue and we sincerely apologize for these divisive remarks."