Wayne Gretzky has found himself in the middle of a political firestorm following his role as honorary captain for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The controversy stems from Gretzky giving a thumbs-up to Team USA, a gesture that many Canadian fans saw as disrespectful—especially given the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. due to Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs. Also he didn't wear a Canadian jersey while the American Captain Mike Eruzione did.
Adding fuel to the fire, Gretzky and Trump are known to be friends, and Trump has even suggested in the past that "The Great One" should run for Prime Minister of Canada. This connection has led some to believe that Gretzky’s gesture was more than just sportsmanship—it was a political statement.
Hockey icon Don Cherry, never one to hold back, has come to Gretzky’s defense, arguing that people are unfairly taking their frustrations with Trump out on Gretzky. "It’s not Gretzky they’re mad at—they’re mad at Trump," Cherry said, emphasizing that Gretzky had spoken to both teams before the game and had no intention of disrespecting Team Canada.
Bobby Orr also backed Gretzky, calling out fans for turning on a national hero. "How fickle can people be?" Orr asked. "Wayne has given so much to Canadian hockey, and now he’s being attacked for simply showing sportsmanship?"
While some believe the backlash against Gretzky is overblown, others argue that his close ties to Trump make his actions more significant. As politics continues to creep into the world of sports, even a simple thumbs-up can become a major controversy. As a longtime Wayne Gretzky fan I say leave politics out of sports.
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Source: Sportskeeda
Photo Credit: NHL
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