COMMENTARY – HERE WE GO AGAIN
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Here we go again!
The ugly side of sports (and life) got dragged up again on Wednesday when the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricances announced they’ve hired Bill Peters as their new head coach.
The Three Hills, AB product had been out of coaching after being let go by the NHL’s Calgary Flames in October of 2019, when it was learned Peters was part of a racially insensitive situation with player Akim Aliu a decade earlier when the pair was in the minors.
The player said Peters used the “n” word and was verbally abusive towards him on a repeated basis.
We kind of thought the story might end there but on Wednesday the ‘Canes said Bill has completed a course on a racial sensitivity and has realized the error of his ways. The hiring even got the approval of WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.
Above all, to me, Lethbridge General Manager Peter Anholt – as fine a man as you could hope to meet – made this hire and that says a few things: 1) He’s satisfied Peters is a changed man, and 2) He feels Peters is a helluva hockey coach.
He is.
In fact the Flames were in first place when Peters stepped down. They haven’t really had a sniff of it since.
Meanwhile Akim Aliu took to Twitter Wednesday saying he wouldn’t accept any Peters apology, and that Bill didn’t even try till last week. That’s disappointing, but not necessarily surprising.
If you ask me (and that’s why you’re here), Bill Peters deserves the chance at redemption and it’s up to Aliu to get the support he needs to be able to move on.
Forgiveness is where the healing begins, but it doesn’t sound like Akim has even taken the first step on that journey. When he does, he’ll realize that Peters is the one who had the problem, not him.
If you’ve followed this Commentary at all since it began in 2019, you’ll know I’m a champion of second chances. In fact it took a fourth, fifth or sixth chance before I realized I needed to change, and finally did.
For that, I’m eternally grateful and you can bet Peters is too; to get this chance.
My flaws weren’t the same as Bill’s, but it’s not a contest. We all can be better in some way and all it takes is an honest look at ourselves.
And that’s where we’ll all move ahead together.
That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+TV, WQEE Radio, Podcast & YouTube Live)
History when told proper can reveal many truths and patterns. How much should one man suffer and what does it say about those who continue to kick a man when he has already been humbled. Those junior players best believe that when they age out at 20 they have a lifetime ahead. There will be days they will be begging for a second chance. The context of our times. It is in the best interests of virtue signallers to keep this story going. What never happens is nobody comments on the revolving door of violent offenders in and out of… Read more »
…..last point. As Jim Montgomery so eloquently stated; “my behaviors and attitude needed to change”. Bill Peters did self improvement and completed training – keep in mind this all happened over 13 years ago. – and what did Akim Aliu do?…”took to twitter”
Sheldon Keefe just got a contract extension and people can look up his past and how far he has come.
Honestly guys like Ted Nolan and Akim Aliu…you have to really start asking what type of people they really are.
Rod, your argument is 100% sound. Let’s hope Lethbridge isn’t swayed by the very vocal, decidedly small group of overly righteous and always unforgiving few.
Rod, it’s not a good look that Peters hasn’t once tried to reach out and apologize. Even now, he’s trying to apologize through a 3rd party and the only reason he’s doing it is because he’s trying to keep his job with the Hurricanes. You can’t tell me there aren’t better options to coach junior kids than this guy. I’m sorry, what he did was egregious and I sure as hell wouldn’t want my teenage boy anywhere near this guys team.
The Western Hockey League, Lethbridge Hurricanes and I don’t agree with you.
Isn’t this something? These perfect virtue signalling twerps that I BET could quote lines from Blazing Saddles. It was the era of the time. He paid his dues, he lost millions losing that NHL job. People can and will do better. I have never met Ruben Studdard, but I know the type. This is the guy that would erupt at a cashier at Walmart, or scream at someone he almost hits with his car. He then probably is just this C class get by in life type, and drives around with a little Ukranian flag on his car and virtue… Read more »
Hi Mindy,
I’m actually none of those things. I just don’t like racists who double down and blackball someone’s career after being called out for using the “N” word. Maybe that’s your thing.
Ruben
Except he did attempt to apologize in 2019. https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5376671 Ultimately, the man is not a convicted felon and is free to make his living as he sees fit if he can convince someone to take him on. Maybe he’s sincere, maybe he’s not. Lethbridge’s players (or their parents) are also free to play in another league, ask for trades, ask hard questions of management about the safeguards now in place (if they care to). The fans in Lethbridge can vote with their wallets. It’s still a free world but everyone’s choices come with consequences. Lethbridge will live with theirs too.… Read more »
Hip Hop turns 50
Please quote lyrics from NWA, Ice Cube, Ice Tea, Luther Campbell, Boyz in The Hood movie, Tu Pac, Biggie Smalls, Dr. Dre….Ghost Face Killas, Ghetto Boys……we’ll wait.
Egregious….we should never let any of them near our youth…especially now that they are all on their gender journies.
What gets me is you actually found a woman to even state you have a teenage boy. – so how that incubation happened would be another story for you to explain.
So because Biggie Smalls uses that word in a rap song it’s ok for a hockey coach to direct it at a person of color? Hmm ok.