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Ron MacLean 9/11 Comparison: Hockey Night In Canada Host Compares Hockey Players To Firefighters, Police (VIDEO)

The Huffington Post Canada  |  Posted: 05/10/2012 10:10 am Updated: 05/10/2012 10:31 am

Ron Maclean 911
CBC's Ron MacLean raised eyebrows by comparing hockey players to 9/11 first responders.

Commentator Ron MacLean is drawing controversy for comparing the hockey players in the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals playoff series to the firefighters and police officers who responded to the 9/11 disaster.

Viewers of "Hockey Night In Canada" are no stranger to odd, sometimes controversial comments. But most of the time they come from long-time hockey commentator Don Cherry and not the straight-laced, mild-mannered Ron MacLean.

The offending gaffe came during MacLean's introduction to Game 6, which began with a rambling statement about New York and Washington's shared 9/11 history.

"It's crazy to compare what the emergency responders did during that time, but a spirit has to start somewhere," he said.

"You can't help but be struck by the players and the way they've played these games. They are like police officers, they are like firefighters. You can't fight fire with ego," he continued.

Needless to say, MacLean didn't get a free pass with many on Twitter getting their jabs in.

"Geez Ron MacLean, who knew skating after a black rubber object was as important as saving lives on 9/11," posted twitter user @habs_junkie.

Twitter user @wzzntzz put it more succinctly. "he smoke a Don Cherry tie?"

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Commentator Ron MacLean is drawing controversy for comparing the hockey players in the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals playoff series to the firefighters and police officers who responded to the...
Commentator Ron MacLean is drawing controversy for comparing the hockey players in the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals playoff series to the firefighters and police officers who responded to the...
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john aniolowski
5 Fans
01:55 AM on 05/14/2012
so when did hundreds die, get lung/multiple cancers? absolutely horrible comparison
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Domo Tronic
Digital Magician
66 Fans
 
08:56 AM on 05/11/2012
Did everyone just get hit with a stupid stick? It's called an ANALOGY, look it up.
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john aniolowski
5 Fans
01:56 AM on 05/14/2012
how about u get a hit from the common sense stick, just like the announcer
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Livinlifenow1
80 Fans
09:41 PM on 05/10/2012
Hanging out with Don Cherry too long... the ridiculousness is starting to set in...
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Turdinthepunchbowl
I float, therefore I am
531 Fans
08:08 PM on 05/10/2012
I thought he was supposed to be the voice of reason on this ship of fools?
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Jessen Joseph
86 Fans
06:43 PM on 05/10/2012
Don Cherry & Ron MacLean, you guys are old skool. Learn to get along with the times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz1nIHv6P6Q
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
William Muller
320 Fans
05:59 PM on 05/10/2012
I see nothing wrong with the comparison. He simply pointed out that the 9/11 rescuers had to put egos aside and battle with one spirit just like the hockey players have to do to achieve their goal. To put a different connotation on the comparison is in the receptor's mind not the originator's.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
tooldude
94 Fans
05:17 PM on 05/10/2012
Looks like even Ron McLean enjoys a crack pipe every once in a while,,
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tam2128
6 Fans
05:14 PM on 05/10/2012
Totally an a 'open mouth insert foot ' comment from McLean. Perhaps the time has come for McLean and Donald S. Cherry to move on to the next chapter in their 'broadcasting'careers off of television.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
toofarleft4thisworld
The Right Is So Wrong
358 Fans
03:07 PM on 05/10/2012
all sports commentary is hyperbolic by definition. it's just a game never worth more than a passing thought.
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OuterBanx North12
Now with 33% MORE caffeine!
151 Fans
02:42 PM on 05/10/2012
OK, everybody - deep breaths now. It was a poor analogy, but he was not out to insult the memory of the first responders. Let's try to contain the outrage.
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jimboh
80 Fans
04:54 PM on 05/10/2012
No maybe not, but his analogy is a reflection of how those in the sports buisness believe they really matter.

This is a smart likeable man seemingly corrupted by the narcissistic world he lives in. His rant was absurd and insulting.
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pablo602
0 Fans
05:14 PM on 05/10/2012
Exactly, Don was speaking on the "spirit" of the first responders giving the two cities the spirit of the fight. He even prefaced the whole comment by saying it was "crazy" to make a comparison. He was making the point that a good fight cannot be won on ego and that the glowing example was exhibited by the firefighters and police on 9/11. He ends by pointing out that "our worst day is their everyday." It was clear that the whole piece was in the spirit of paying respects to the first responders.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
pjlowry
135 Fans
 
02:04 PM on 05/10/2012
Face, meet palm.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ibivi
I miss Molly Ivins
98 Fans
02:03 PM on 05/10/2012
What an idiotic thing to say. Ron is getting senile. Put him in the penalty box-permanently!!!
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GeoToronto
Nik Nak Paddy Wak, Still Ridin' Caddy-Laks
180 Fans
 
01:02 PM on 05/10/2012
Ron's right, there isn't much difference between 911 police and fire fighters, other than one group makes $50,000 a year and the other makes $3,000,000.

Isn't there a couple of 25 year old kids with BAs in broadcasting that they can replace Cherry and MacLean? I'm sure they'll work for the same pay as police and fire fighters.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
spinnerator
109 Fans
 
01:26 PM on 05/10/2012
You forgot the most important difference, The 9/11 responders DIED horrible deaths. Deaths they voluntarily ran to, to try and save others. Nothing before and nothing since has equated their sacrifice.
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Colin Speth
A Claymore for your thoughts
55 Fans
04:59 PM on 05/10/2012
What did Don do again?
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bogey1
527 Fans
12:22 PM on 05/10/2012
this is what happens to your brain when you hang around with don cherry too long
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Bytor
13 Fans
11:02 AM on 05/10/2012
Mclean considers himself the Shakespeare of hockey commentators.He drove off the cliff with these comments and does not deserve a soft landing
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