The Green Zone: Riders' Jeremy O'Day preparing for 2025
9h ago
O'Day discusses Trevor Harris and changes to be made to get the Riders back to the Grey Cup.
As I watched Auston Matthews score two goals for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night, I couldn’t help but think about the moral compass of fans and media too.
Matthews, who hasn’t been found guilty of anything, is charged with disorderly conduct and disruptive behaviour following an incident in Arizona this off-season. Many fans were quick to question the character of another typical millionaire athlete whose alleged actions are believed to be that of the entitled. Yet over 18,000 inside of Scotiabank Arena, and many other Leaf fans watching on TV, no doubt cheered loudly when Matthews scored twice in Toronto’s season-opening win over the Ottawa Senators.
It reminded me of a situation in 2013 here in Saskatchewan. Roughriders receiver Taj Smith was charged with aggravated assault after an August incident on Dewdney Avenue. Smith was loudly criticized, then was among those being cheered on by fans for the remainder of that season as the team went on to win the Grey Cup.
Some sports fans are very guilty of a double standard.