Lightning coach Jon Cooper apologizes for discriminatory comment

When the Tampa Bay Lightning arrived to speak with the media on locker room cleaning day, coach Jon Cooper opened with an apology for a sexist comment he made when they were eliminated.

The comment Cooper is apologizing for was in reference to a few goaltender interference calls that occurred at a critical point of the Lightning's last game. Cooper thought the calls of goaltender interference were soft, saying that the NHL may as well put skirts on the goaltenders.





Simply put, this is an issue much bigger than hockey, which is reflected by the fact Cooper was more upset with this than the series loss. Cooper's comment drew on a stereotype that women are weaker or less able than men, and is totally outdated.

Collectively, we need to move on from these phrases of the past that put down groups of people. It's reassuring to see Cooper recognize how is comment was wrong and apologize for it.