Sean Avery called homophobic slur by Wayne Simmonds?

[joeybee12]

PHILADELPHIA -- A Winter Classic press conference Monday afternoon touted the Rangers-Flyers rivalry as one of the best in sports, but the animosity took an ugly turn during the Rangers' 5-3 loss to the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Monday night.

Feisty Rangers winger Sean Avery confirmed that Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds called him a homophobic slur during the first period of the bitter preseason contest. A video replay showed Simmonds hurling the epithet towards Avery while on the ice near the Flyers bench. "To be here now having to answer the questions about what he did is disappointing for me. I'm disappointed for him," Avery said.

Rangers coach John Tortorella said: "I did not hear it, but I'm sure Sean Avery is not lying about it."

Simmonds was on the other side of a racially offensive display last week when a fan hurled a banana on the ice during the Flyers' exhibition game against the Red Wings on Thursday in London, Ontario.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nhl/story/_/id/7024659/new-york-rangers-sean-avery-says-wayne-simmonds-called-homophobic-slur

Kind of hard to defend the guy over that banana incident...that was reprehensible, but apparently Simmond's a major asshole.

[inthebrain]

1. If Rangers vs Flyer are "one of the best in sports"

what does that make Rangers/Islanders?

That by far is the much bigger rivalry by a long shot. Espn doesn't know jack shit about hockey and never has.

Sean Avery once made fun of a player for having cancer. Word amongst many of the players in this league is that he's also know for homophobic and racist remarks as well.

[joeybee12]

2. You must be thinking of someone else...

Avery made a video in support of same-sex marriage in New York.

[inthebrain]

3. No, it was Avery

There was a big article in the paper in response to Avery's ad calling it a PR stunt. A few NHL players (I think Jason Blake and Rick Dipietro were two of note) that were cited talking about Avery's banter on the ice.

[joeybee12]

4. I call bullshit...

Not only that, but he's been very vocal pro-gay all along...says more about Blake and Dipietro being probably homophobes that they have to make shit up...also, Avery's manager chided him saying he'd lose endorsements...NHL has a long way to go.

And apparently you seem hell bent on defending Simmonds when it's clear from the video what he said...can you explain why that is?

[inthebrain]

7. Knee Jerk much?

I have never said anything about Symonds. But, I suppose in your world, discussing Avery's homophobic comments in the past makes up for a defense of Symonds. You have a weak leg to stand on in this argument. I have offered up no defense of Simmonds, Captain Knee Jerk.

Avery has shoveled out everything in the book at every player in the league. Homophobic comments are the least of em. He also made fun of Jason Blake in a pregame skate for having cancer.

Avery is a hypocrit and complete trash

[Upton]

5. Sean Avery is a major league asshole..

I wouldn't believe one word that comes out of his mouth. He's made a career of saying and doing things to get under people's skin. Remember his "sloppy seconds" remark of a few years ago?

[MrSlayer]

6. Avery is a dick but this is what he's going to face all year for coming out in favor of gay marriage

Pro sports are a haven for homophobia because of the whole macho image surrounding it. I've always hated Avery because he is a real dickhead on the ice and a cheap shot but I think he did a brave and noble thing in coming out in favor of marriage equality. There is no doubt that Simmonds did this and it will happen all year and probably for the rest of Avery's career. There is nothing wrong with trash talking, that's a big part of the game but racial and homophobic slurs have no place.