Sport is often a good way to relax, but sometimes emotions take over, whether for amateurs or professional athletes.
Some have unwillingly put themselves in a tricky situation, while others certainly didn't expect to be in the spotlight.
Here are five athletes we didn't expect to be in the news in 2023.
“Keep it, your English!”
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
In just a few seconds, Marc-Antoine Dequoy became the favorite of many francophones after the Montreal Alouettes defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Gray Cup. In an on-field interview after the game ended, the Marauder went on a lyrical high that will be remembered for several years to come.
“They never believed in us, never! You look everywhere and it's written in English! On TSN it was Toronto vs. Winnipeg. But, you know what? Keep your English! We're going to bring the trophy back to Montreal, we're going to bring it back to Quebec, we're going to bring it home because we're fucking champions!” Dequoy told the RDS channel.
Without turning around, the 29-year-old athlete was more measured in subsequent interviews. In particular, he stated that in the week leading up to the Gray Cup he “noticed a certain lack of respect for the French language.” However, Dequoy assured that he had nothing against the English-speaking community and that the feelings had overwhelmed him.
The kings of controversy
Archive photo Stevens LeBlanc
In mid-November, the residents of Quebec City learned what seemed like good news at first glance: the Los Angeles Kings will play two preseason games against the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers at the Videotron Center in October 2024.
However, this news quickly caused controversy as the Legault government committed to paying a $5 million to $7 million grant to bring the City of Angels Club to the old capital.
The Kings therefore found themselves, despite themselves, in the middle of the social debate, particularly about the public sector workers' strike and the management of public funds by our elected officials.
However, this didn't change anything for the Californian team, which confirmed through its president Luc Robitaille that it would compete in Quebec next fall.
The surprising choice of CH
Getty Images via AFP
While Montreal Canadiens fans expected Carey Price to call Matvei Michkov to the podium at the last National Hockey League (NHL) draft, in Nashville it was David Reinbacher who was the team's choice with the fifth overall selection.
Many CH supporters were simply stunned by their choice of formation. Michkov, meanwhile, was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers two levels after the Austrian defenseman.
The Russian plays in the Continental League (KHL) with 26 points in 29 games against HK Sochi (as of December 8th). Reinbacher got his name on the scoresheet four times in 11 games for HC Kloten in Switzerland (one goal and three assists).
He's wasting his season and maybe his career
Getty Images via AFP
Corey Perry was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks last summer but didn't stay long with the Illinois club. After playing just 16 games, the former Habs was placed on waivers by the Hawks to opt out of his contract.
The organization was forced to make this decision because Perry was allegedly involved in an incident during a Nov. 21 event attended by sponsors and team employees. The next day, the Blackhawks faced the Columbus Blue Jackets and the veteran was left out.
The man who won the Hart Trophy in 2011 apologized with a statement on social media.
“I will do whatever it takes to make sure something like this never happens again,” he said. I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who once believed in me during my career. I’m really sorry again.”
Perry also revealed that he began working with mental health and substance abuse experts to discuss his “alcohol issues.”
He was driving his golf cart drunk
SLATER SCOOP: New Jersey Devils coach Andrew Brunette tries to back out of his golf cart DUI tests, gets told by his deputy, “If you fight me, you'll regret it,” and lets authorities know he coached the Florida Panthers.
Exclusive video below.
(Warning: language) pic.twitter.com/v6FClxpvHt
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) April 18, 2023
Andrew Brunette, who serves as head coach of the Nashville Predators, experienced a mishap in February. The Broward County Sheriff's Office said Brunette was arrested for driving while impaired while driving a golf cart. He was pulled over after failing to stop at a stop sign.
The former NHL player was released after posting $500 bail.
However, the pictures of his arrest were published online a few months later and simply caused a stir. To get out of it, Brunette's main attempt was to exploit his notoriety by telling the Peacekeepers that he had been the head coach of the Florida Panthers.
At the time of the crime, Brunette was an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils.