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ESPN Host Apologizes After Mocking First Nations Hockey Player's Name On 'SportsCenter'
SportsCenter anchor John Anderson was criticized for a racist joke he made about Vegas Golden Knights hockey player Zach Whitecloud when he scored his first goal of the season.
When Whitecloud—a defenseman—came into possession of the puck and scored the goal, Anderson diminished his efforts and his humanity by mocking his last name by comparing it to toilet paper.
Whitecloud is a First Nations citizen and the first member of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation of Manitoba, Canada to play in the NHL. He is one of only four current NHL players who identify as Indigenous North American.
Indigenous ally and award winning actor Mark Ruffalo shared the moment on Twitter.
The MCU star tweeted:
"Open and outward racism goes unchecked toward our Indigenous family in the USA & normalized on [ESPN] by people like announcer John Anderson who viciously mocks pro hockey player [Zach Whitecloud]’s name."
"This kind of behavior should be punished & called out for the racism it is."
\u201cOpen and outward racism goes unchecked toward our Indigenous family in the USA & normalized on @espn by people like announcer John Anderson who viciously mocks pro hockey player @ZachWhitecloud\u2019s name. This kind of behavior should be punished & called out for the racism it is.\u201d— Mark Ruffalo (@Mark Ruffalo) 1683727114
After his ignorance was pointed out, Anderson wanted to apologize to Whitecloud.
Many Indigenous family and clan names were lost because of assimilation efforts in the United States and Canada. For Whitecloud's ancestors to be able to pass on their name to future generations is a sign of survival and perseverance.
And while Anderson may have just tried to be funny, his comment was still racist. Racism doesn't require malice—only ignorance.
Anderson stated:
"This is totally on me, and I sincerely apologize to Zach, the Golden Knights, their fans, and everyone else for what I said."
"It’s my job to be prepared and know the backgrounds of the players and I blew it."
Whitecloud gracefully navigated the situation and saw the racist incident as a learning opportunity for everyone.
You can listen to Whitecloud's full statement about the incident here:
\u201c\ud83c\udfa5 Zach Whitecloud speaks on his pride for his heritage. \ud83e\udde1\u201d— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@z - Vegas Golden Knights) 1683666400
He told the press:
"I think it was an attempt at humor that came out as being obviously insensitive, and he acknowledges that. He understands that it was wrong to say."
"I wanted to make sure he knew that I accepted his apology. People make mistakes, and this is a scenario where not just John but everyone can learn from and move forward in a positive direction and try to be better for."
Whitecloud shared the origin of his name.
"I’m proud of my culture. I’m proud of where I come from and where I was raised, who I was raised by."
"I carry my grandfather’s last name, and nothing makes me more proud than to be able to do that."
He added that he reached out to Anderson the morning after the on-air incident.
"In our culture, we were raised to be the first ones to reach out and offer help, so that’s why I reached out to John this morning."
People online offered support and accolades, especially for how well Whitecloud handled the situation, turning it into a teachable moment.
\u201c@GoldenKnights Imagine thinking it was okay to disrespect Zach Whitecloud like this. Disgusting.\u201d— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@z - Vegas Golden Knights) 1683666400
\u201c@GoldenKnights @GoldenKnights thank you for giving Zach the room to address this.\n\nYour support and commitment to his Native community has been witnessed since he joined the org.\u201d— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@z - Vegas Golden Knights) 1683666400
\u201c@GoldenKnights Hey Zach, I thank your parents and your grandparents, for they raised you well, for your actions here make you an exceptional role model and ambassador for all Indigenous, Metis and Inuit people of Turtle Island, thank you and much Respect.\u201d— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@z - Vegas Golden Knights) 1683666400
\u201c@GoldenKnights @ZachWhitecloud you are my wife's favorite hockey player. Like you, she is from a Native community and she feel represented in her favorite sport through you. Keep true to yourself, we appreciate all your hard work. Nia:wen!\u201d— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@z - Vegas Golden Knights) 1683666400
\u201c@GoldenKnights We love your last name Zach! And I\u2019m proud to wear that name, in honor of you and your ancestors, on 1 of my jerseys. You\u2019re right to accept his apology and I\u2019m not surprised at \nyour graciousness. \ud83d\udc9b\ud83e\ude76\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@z - Vegas Golden Knights) 1683666400
Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) board member Pauly Daniel Denetclaw III (Diné) reminded people BIPOC face racism born of ignorance and malice in the workplace all the time.
\u201cMy heart. The pain Indigenous people have to move through for just existing. It makes me think about all the times the journalism industry has mistreated me just for being in the room. I\u2019m proud that Zach Whitecloud spoke on this because its tough to shoulder these topics. \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Pauly Daniel Denetclaw III (@Pauly Daniel Denetclaw III) 1683731242
\u201c@Pdineclah @Ruth_HHopkins I wish the mics were in the face of the people needing to give the apology instead off the ones we EXPECT to accept it.\u201d— Pauly Daniel Denetclaw III (@Pauly Daniel Denetclaw III) 1683731242
\u201c@GoldenKnights Zach is almost in tears at the end of this. I know he\u2019s being super forgiving and using this to the best of his ability to bring awareness but the fact that he\u2019s almost in tears over it doesn\u2019t sit right with me and what was said, even with the apology and Zach \u201cacceptance.\u201d\u201d— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@z - Vegas Golden Knights) 1683666400
\u201c@GoldenKnights This would be a great time for John Anderson to make a donation to the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. And the Golden Knights Game 4 would be a great opportunity for @ESPN to do a story on Zach's heritage paving the way in the NHL.\u201d— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@z - Vegas Golden Knights) 1683666400
\u201c@GoldenKnights @ZachWhitecloud you are an AMAZING man! I hope with all my heart that John and anyone else who chooses to be inappropriate, takes this to heart and thinks before they speak and takes the time to learn. Actions speak louder than words but your words have spoken volumes \ud83d\udc95\u201d— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@z - Vegas Golden Knights) 1683666400
\u201c@GoldenKnights Aww, Zach. I hate that he had to address this at all, but he did so with grace and compassion. The city of Las Vegas knows how lucky we are to have him. \n\nLast but not least, nice goal bud. Keep killing it.\u201d— z - Vegas Golden Knights (@z - Vegas Golden Knights) 1683666400
This is one of those rare situations where the person at fault publicly recognized and owned their mistake without excuses or diminishing the mistake by apologizing to the people who "might have been offended."
But as many pointed out, racist microaggressions still take an emotional toll on the target.
Lost in this was the celebration of Whitecloud scoring a goal—a rare feat for most defensemen—in the playoffs. That's a moment Zach Whitecloud won't get back.
Congratulations on your first playoff goal of this year Zach!