On Wednesday, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Pat Maroon responded perfectly to bullying from Boston Bruins' longtime television announcer Jack Edwards.
In support of those struggling with mental health, bullying and body image I am making a 2,000 donation in the name of @realjackedwards to @TampaBayThrives and I encourage @TBLightning and @NHL fans to join me. Donate here: https://t.co/ZEbWHw6Cqv
— Pat Maroon (@patmaroon) November 30, 2022
Edwards attacked Maroon's weight, making several insensitive comments during Tuesday's broadcast.
Instead of firing back at Edwards, Maroon decided to donate $2,000 in the announcers' name to a non-profit, Tampa Bay Thrives, "In support of those struggling with mental health, bullying and body image."
Thank you @patmaroon for your beautiful response against bullying and body shaming. https://t.co/paPKPiA2vo
— Tampa Bay Thrives (@TampaBayThrives) November 30, 2022
During Tuesday night's Lightning-Bruins game, Edwards mocked Maroon, implying that the 12th-year pro was well above the 238 pounds reported during training camp.
He further embarrassed himself and showed his ignorance twice, using "inadvertent" instead of "intermittent" to say that "fasting for Maroon was like four hours without a meal."
Pat Maroon, fully minding his own business
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) November 30, 2022
Jack Edwards: pic.twitter.com/TE27x02Xi2
Edwards has faced significant backlash from his colleagues and the rest of the hockey world for his comments.
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff called Edwards a "blowhard," adding, "Go home, Jack. You actually sound drunk."
Agent Allan Walsh said it was a "disgrace" that Edwards gets away with attacking players for things unrelated to how they play hockey.
Bobby Ryan, a 14-year NHL veteran, voiced his support on Twitter, saying Maroon "doesn't care about" Edwards, and his comments "won't change his day."
Others, like the Carolina Hurricanes, have followed Maroon's lead, making a donation to the Lightning Foundation while encouraging their fans to do the same "out of spite."
We stand with @patmaroon in supporting those who struggle with mental health, bullying, and body image.
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) November 30, 2022
We encourage #Canes fans to donate $19 out of spite for Jack Edwards. https://t.co/KHyoTeO0hi pic.twitter.com/FrTMsM8Eue
Edwards, a former ESPN anchor, has done play-by-play for Bruins games with NESN since 2005. Neither NESN nor Edwards have addressed the situation publicly.
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