ESPN anchor apologizes for mocking First Nations hockey star

Zach Whitecloud: 'I’m proud of my culture. I’m proud of where I come from and where I was raised, who I was raised by. I carry my grandfather’s last name, and nothing makes me more proud than to be able to do that'

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Mark Anderson

Associated Press

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Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (#2), Dakota Sioux, plays during an NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He’s one of four Indigenous NHL players in the 2023 playoffs. (AP Photo/Lucas Peltier)

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ESPN “SportsCenter” anchor John Anderson apologized to Zach Whitecloud, a First Nation member in Canada, on Tuesday after comparing the Vegas Golden Knights defenseman’s last name to toilet paper the previous night.

Whitecloud, Dakota, told reporters in Edmonton, Alberta, that he spoke with Anderson on Tuesday morning.

“I think it was an attempt at humor that came out as being obviously insensitive, and he acknowledges that,” Whitecloud said. “He understands that it was wrong to say. I wanted to make sure he knew that I accepted his apology. People make mistakes, and this is a scenario where not just John but everyone can learn from and move forward in a positive direction and try to be better for.”

Anderson’s comments came while narrating Whitecloud scoring in the Knights’ 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night. Vegas leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday in Edmonton.

Whitecloud is the first member of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation to play in the NHL.

“This is totally on me and I sincerely apologize to Zach, the Golden Knights, their fans and everyone else for what I said,” Anderson said in a statement. “It’s my job to be prepared and know the backgrounds of the players and I blew it.”

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud (2), Dakota, and goaltender Laurent Brossoit (39) defend the net against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights defeated the Jets in five games to advance to the second round. (AP Photo/David Becker)

While speaking to reporters, Whitecloud became emotional when talking about his background.

“I’m proud of my culture,” Whitecloud said. “I’m proud of where I come from and where I was raised, who I was raised by. I carry my grandfather’s last name, and nothing makes me more proud than to be able to do that. In our culture, we were raised to be the first ones to reach out and offer help, so that’s why I reached out to John this morning.”

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