Throwback: What LGBTQ Issues Did NHL Player Andrew Shaw Face?

The former forward from Chicago Blackhawks and NHL player Andrew Shaw has been one of the most vilified personalities on national TV. This happened after he allegedly uttered an anti-gay slur during a playoff match in the National Hockey League a few years ago. He also had to face a suspension following that and a round of apologies. He got the same treatment meted out to such athletes over the years regarding LGBTQ issues in the country. But the NHL player Andrew Shaw is not one of the usual players. He started to pay close attention to LGBTQ issues. He has had a massive change of heart since then. At present, the player is highly committed to removing the casual homophobia that exists in locker rooms across the nation. The culture in the NHL is evolving continuously in regard to LGBTQ issues. 

According to coaches and players, there is much less overt homophobia in the locker rooms across the league than there used to be before. There has been considerable progress in the league about LGBTQ issues. All the teams have hosted a type of inclusion or pride night. Many teams are moving even further ahead than that. The Montreal Canadiens auctioned off more than thirty player-signed pride jerseys as charity. The Vancouver Canuks developed the best pride jerseys of all time. The overall scene of the league is a lot more welcoming for players from the LGBTQ community. This is mainly because of the inclusion of young players and the broader mindsets that they bring with them. There have been several coming-out tales from young hockey players in the past few years.

But there is still a lot of work to be done. A veteran hockey player said that there are still anti-gay slurs uttered during matches. But they are now much less frequent than before. A player was recently suspended for more than seven matches for using language that was homophobic. In the previous year, the former player Kyle Beach recalled a story about how his teammates bullied him after he claimed that he was sexually assaulted by the team's video coach. But Andrew Shaw was not a member of that team. He was drafted the year after that. But now, there is hope that he will speak up if he ever sees a kind of situation such as that in the locker room. Shaw said, "As we all grow up and learn, you meet people and have friends and family in that community. They help you learn what they go through in their everyday life, and you realize that words can hurt. And they cut deep. Since then, I've changed. I made sure I took it out of my vocabulary." Shaw said, "I grew up in a small town and played with the same guys every year. That word was used from when I was a kid up to playing in the OHL to playing in the NHL."

The Incident Involving Andrew Shaw and LGBTQ Issues

Nearly six years ago, there was a match in the National Hockey League between the Canadiens and the Ducks in Anaheim. In that match, Andrew Shaw was sent to the penalty box after incurring a skirmish on the ice with one of the opposing team's defensemen. While sitting in the penalty box, the video cameras captured the player shouting something towards a player on the ice. A lot of people tried to read his lips. They interpreted that he was allegedly making homophobic comments because of his history. Andrew Shaw did not get the benefit of the doubt. So when it became apparent to many that he had allegedly used a homophobic slur during the match, it was appropriate for the league to start an investigation regarding the whole incident. The investigation of the matter by the league started based on the evidence shown by the video. But the officials from the league came to the final conclusion based on more than the various angles captured from the video cameras.

The league later released an official statement on the matter. The league concluded that the player did not make any derogatory slurs in this incident. The player had also been caught before this incident when he allegedly directed a homophobic slur against an official during the playoffs held a year before that. He was playing for the same team. He got a suspension of a single match at that time. He later apologized for the incident and said there was no justification for his slurs against LGBTQ issues. After that incident, the player partnered with the You Can Play program from the league. The program is dedicated to ensuring safety, respect, and equality for all athletes, irrespective of their sexual identity or orientation. When we keep that in mind, the response by the league and the viewers to the following incident was fair play. It is fine for the viewers to call out any such behavior against LGBTQ issues. This is more so when it comes from a player committed to being an ambassador for such LGBTQ issues in sports. It is okay not to give the player the benefit of the doubt. But the due process should be allowed to take place by the league before condemning him outright. The incident also proved that the National Hockey League took LGBTQ issues seriously.

The National Hockey League said, "The League thoroughly investigated this matter, including interviewing Andrew Shaw, on-ice officials, and relevant off-ice officials. We are completely satisfied that Andrew Shaw did not say the homophobic slur that has been alleged." His coach Joel Quenneville knew that this incident would not affect Andrew Shaw's performance in future matches. He said, "What Andrew did was unacceptable. (But) one thing we know about him, he's as competitive as you can be, so I think that answers the question." Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said, "We all stand behind (Shaw's) apology in this situation. I think we all know what type of person he is; he's a great guy that everyone loves in the locker room. I think he's respectful of others and obviously knows he made a mistake last night in the heat of the moment. I think that's how we're all looking at it. At this moment, obviously, there's a lot on the line for a hockey team, but it's somewhat a teachable moment. We can all be more conscious of the word's effect and know it can't be used loosely."

Shaw said, "I wanted to apologize for my actions. I have no excuses for anything. I want to apologize to the gay and lesbian community. That's not the type of guy I am. This is hard for me. I saw the video last night, and I had a tough time sleeping. It has gotten to me. I let my emotions get the better of me. I want to apologize to the organization, the NHL, and my teammates, family, and friends. Obviously, I'm sorry. It's a tough time for me right now. It's hard to see (the video). Emotions got the best of me. I didn't get any sleep last night. It was tough on me. I'm upset with myself, obviously. I'll never use that word again, that's for sure. I get it. It's a hurtful word. It's 2016 now. It's time that everyone is treated equally. It's a hurtful word; I know that. I am sorry, and I want to apologize."

Conclusion

Any derogatory word that affects LGBTQ issues reverberates across all the sports. Suppose the officials really want to erase this menace. In that case, suspensions are more likely to cause major change than the usual fines. The league has a great track record of working with communities that lend support to many gay athletes. The league showed its seriousness in eliminating such slurs on LGBTQ issues by suspending Andrew Shaw for an elimination playoff match. This punishment was vital to promote an environment of tolerance for the gay spectators of the sport and those players who might want to come out of the closet in the future. Andrew Shaw has also been heartfelt in his desire to erase his past sins and do something good regarding LGBTQ issues. He has also promised never to use the word again.