Allegations made against Oilers assistant coach Paul Coffey
According to The Hockey News, allegations have surfaced regarding assistant coach Paul Coffey of the Edmonton Oilers. The NHL is now investigating reports of racial gestures being made to a fan in Game 1 by Coffey. This is not the first time the Oilers assistant coach has gotten stuck in a sticky situation. The last time this happened the coach was suspended for using a discriminatory slur aimed at another coach.
Fans were quick to respond to this by stating that there was no evidence to prove that this was in fact true. In the day and age that we live in, someone was bound to have recorded the incident and post it and since there hasn't been any video since the allegations were made, fans think it isn't true and that it is another way for the Cancucks' fans to take a jab at the Oilers fans. Another fan thinks that it was completely misunderstood and that the coach was simply trying to get a disorderly fan removed and pointing at security to come through. The fan admits that it was not the most politically correct thing for him to do but that in that situation how else do you get ahold of security without signaling?
I think in this situation, I will plead the fifth. I am no one to judge anyone else's actions nor was I there to be able to say yes or no. Regardless, it is never OK to be discriminatory against anyone. Every human deserves to be treated with respect. We are all different and that is what makes us each unique. We all bleed the same and that should be what unites us as the human race. I hope for Edmonton's sake that Coffey is found innocent and that they can put this incident behind them so they can focus on more hockey - which is what the focus should be.
