When an individual proudly displays the Confederate Flag during his act on stage, it is not an act. When an individual defames the LGBTQ community by wondering, “Why these days is everything so gay? Gay rights, transgender this and that,” it is not about politics, it is about common decency.
When the NHL invites the person known as Kid Rock to perform at next Sunday’s All-Star Game in Tampa, it is not about entertainment, it is offensive.
Further, it is mystifying why this league, whose embrace of the You Can Play program and creation of its Hockey Is for Everyone initiative puts it at the professional sports vanguard on gender issues, would damage its reputation by inviting this barely relevant person to share the spotlight with its greatest athletes.