ARE WINNIPEG FANS RACIST? DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK
NHL’s Kane and CFL’s Leggett relate two different experiences of playing in the city
Judging from his recent comments to a San Jose newspaper, it’s clear former Jets winger Evander Kane never felt comfortable in Winnipeg.
The comments, published in a San Jose Mercury News article written by Winnipegger Paul Gackle, suggest racism is at the root of the problem.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Moe Leggett, who has lived in the city at least parttime for the last four years, finds that hard to believe.
“I’ve never experienced it, personally,” said Leggett, who grew up in Georgia and now splits his time between Atlanta and Winnipeg, where he has played four seasons for the CFL’s Bombers.
It’s certainly a different situation from Kane. For one, a majority of Leggett’s teammates are African-American and many view Canada as an oasis of diversity.
“Coming from where I live, it’s a huge difference,” Leggett said. “This is nothing compared to what’s going on in the United States.”
Meanwhile, Kane is one of only about 30 black NHL players and was one of only two on the Jets roster — the other being Dustin Byfuglien — before Kane was traded in February 2015.
His personality stood out on the Jets and his behaviour on and off the ice, inside and outside the locker-room, was noticed. He was certainly a target of fan attention in Winnipeg, much of it brought on by his penchant for self-promotion on social media.
He was traded to Buffalo three years ago after his clashes with teammates and persistent rumours of off-ice transgressions became too much.
The story in the Mercury News is generally meant to convey the notion that perceived “problem child” Kane is a good fit for the Sharks — who acquired him from Buffalo at a bargain basement price at the NHL trade deadline — because of the diversity of the Bay Area, where racial minorities might feel more welcome than in other NHL cities.
It also suggests Kane was not treated fairly in Winnipeg, nor in Buffalo, because of the colour of his skin.
Kane clearly believes he received criticism in Winnipeg for showing his personality. He was slammed for posting a picture of himself on social media, holding up a stack of money to his ear like a phone, à la boxing champion Floyd Mayweather.
People also questioned his decision to shave a Lil Wayne reference — YMCMB, which means Young Money Cash Money Billionaires — into his hair.
These are things he believes would have been celebrated if he lived in a different market, or played a different sport.
“It something that’s been done before by many athletes,” Kane told the Mercury News about the money phone incident.
“Because I was in Winnipeg, in a Canadian city, it obviously bothered some people. Wes Welker (New England Patriots receiver) is at the Kentucky Derby throwing around money, and he’s considered a great guy. Fun and charismatic.
“If you don’t acknowledge (the racial element) to some degree, you’re living in the shadows. It’s an older mentality and something that (hockey) hasn’t caught up to. There’s nothing wrong with lights, camera, action and embracing the entertainment side of sports. Unfortunately (in the NHL) we don’t have enough guys who want to do that or think it’s important to do that.
“If you look at the four major sports, that’s why hockey ranks fourth.”
Kane, now 26, said his attitude and personality were never questioned when he played for the Thrashers, suggesting in Atlanta it was easier for a black player to fit in.
“I was in Atlanta for my first two years and those were very smooth years,” Kane told the Mercury News.
“Then, we got sold to Winnipeg and things changed. I didn’t change, so it’s interesting how things happen.”
Kane doesn’t seem willing to take much responsibility for the things that have “happened” to him during the course of his career. He fell out of favour in the Jets organization because he sometimes put himself above the team.
It’s an older mentality and something that (hockey) hasn’t caught up to. There’s nothing wrong with lights, camera, action and embracing the entertainment side of sports.
He was late for meetings and infamously showed up for a game day skate in a track suit, prompting teammate Byfuglien to throw it in the shower, which resulted in Kane leaving the arena.
That was the last straw for Kane and the Jets organization. He was traded days later.
But things didn’t improve in Buffalo, where he was investigated but never charged for sexual assault, was arrested and charged for physically harassing three women at a bar (the judge dismissed the case in a legal arrangement that required Kane to stay out of trouble for at least six months), and was later called “selfish” by teammate Justin Falk.
If Kane did face racism in Winnipeg, it’s embarrassing for the city. No player should have to endure that, no matter how they behave.
The Kane article referenced the 2015 cover story in Maclean’s magazine that tagged Winnipeg as Canada’s most racist city. That was most certainly a wakeup call for a community that desperately needs to improve relations with its Indigenous population.
But to paint Winnipeg as a city where a black player is not welcome is off base.
“The city has shown nothing but love to myself, my family, my friends,” Leggett said. “This is among the friendliest cities in the world.”