Alain Vigneault felt it necessary to clear the air when it came to his comments about not knowing what was going on in regard to the protests, the social injustice issues the players were fighting for and the NBA players kicking off the pause in sports with their walkout of games this past week.
Vigneault said he didn’t have a comment to make this past Thursday but said he was too busy focusing on hockey to know what was going on in the outside world. He said he was invested 24/7 on the team, going through video 20 hours a day and claimed he had no time to read social media or watch the news, that he hadn’t picked up a newspaper or done anything other than focus on his job as a hockey coach. He said he was for equality, but couldn’t add to what was affecting the NHL, the players and sports in general. “I’m a hockey nerd and that’s what I’m doing right now,” he said.
That didn’t go over well with a lot of people who believed Vigneault’s comments were insensitive and dismissed issues many believe are much bigger than sports. Craig Button of TSN called his comments “Abhorrent and indefensible.” He added, “Just because you’re coaching hockey in a bubble doesn’t mean the issues going on for centuries aren’t still prevalent…”
Vigneault Wanted To Comment on the Backlash
On Sunday, Vigneault did not hold a typical press conference but had some written notes prepared that he wanted to make sure people heard.
He said:
“In life I answer to my parents. I answer to my family. I answer to my friends and I answer to God. Everyone that I just mentioned knows that what I’ve said since our postgame on Wednesday is the truth. My honesty, my integrity, my social commitment, for some reason, has been pushed to the forefront.
“After our last game against the New York Islanders I was asked about the situation in the NBA. We had played a 3 o’clock game, I didn’t know what was going on so I didn’t comment. We got back that night at 6:15 at the hotel. I picked up some food, had a martini and went to my room to work. We were playing in less than 24 hours. I worked late into the night, got up very early the next morning, continued to work. I conducted my 10:30 to 11:45 coaches meeting. At 11:45 I went to get COVID tested. At 12 o’clock I was back here for the press conference.
“I never bothered to ask or check with anyone what was going on in the world or the NBA. I am guilty of that. I was totally focused on our next game. Like I said at the 12 o’clock press conference, I am for equality. I am for social justice.
“After that press conference, I went to our pre-game meal. I left there around 12:35 and as I walked out I saw players from the four teams that are in the bubble talking. That was my first indication that something was going on. Shortly, very shortly after that, I received a text from one of my players telling me that they were not playing that evening.
“I am guilty of not checking up on what was going on the world and the NBA, but I am a good person. I believe in equality. I believe in social justice. I want to be part of the solution. I want to help society in any way I can.
“To all of the people that have texted me and called me in the last 48 hours to show their support, I want to say, ‘Thank you and continue to stay safe.’ To all of the people in the last 48 hours that have questioned my honesty, questioned my integrity, questioned my social commitment, I want to say, ‘You, also, stay safe.’
“You know, we all have our part to do moving forward to help society fix its issues. Maybe we can all start by being good to one another. Society is like a big team, everyone has a role to play. If we work together and do our roles, I am convinced that we can fix society’s issues.
“I want to thank everyone for being here. Everyone stay safe and that concludes today’s press conference. Thank you.”
Vigneault Seems to Have Felt His Comments Were Taken Out of Context
Those that are arguing Vigneault’s comments were insensitive are not wrong. At the very least, he has to know that what’s going on with his players and in the world of sports in terms of equality, social injustice and racism should take priority over the playoffs. Honestly, this is one of the major issues the Hockey Diversity Foundation is arguing for. That people don’t just talk about the issues but actually make them a priority.
At the same time, it’s hard to imagine Vigneault was trying to insult the idea that the issues didn’t matter.
Some will likely say this statement is not so much an apology as it is him defending what he said. Those who argue as much will say it might have been better that he simply apologize and try to move on.
Clearly, Vigneault felt it was unnecessary to drag his name through the mud as some have done over these past couple of days. That too is true. Before jumping all over him, it might have been wise to try and clarify what he meant with his statements.
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