Matt Petgrave, the hockey player whose skate fatally cut Adam Johnson’s neck, has been subjected to a slew of racist hate online since the tragic incident. The collision between Petgrave and Johnson happened Saturday during a game in England’s Elite Ice Hockey League.
Johnson’s death has resulted in a UK police investigation and a hefty examination of safety requirements in the sport—including making neck guards mandatory for players. Related Content Black Hockey Sports Legend Willie O'Ree Honored Howard University Didn't Have a Women's Rugby Team, So a Black Woman Spawned a Movement by Creating One Johnson, 29, was playing in a Challenge Cup match for Nottingham at the Sheffield Arena when he was cut in the neck by the skate of Sheffield Steelers player Matt Petgrave, 31. Elite Ice Hockey League has called it a “freak accident.” Petgrave, who is Black and from Toronto, has been trending on X/Twitter as racists have used this opportunity to show their putrid hatred of Black people. One of the most disgusting posts shows a picture of Petgrave next to George Floyd with the caption: “Matt Petgrave is the low impulse control N who murdered Adam Johnson in a violent racial hate crime. Petgrave angled his skate blade upwards and intentionally hit Johnson in the neck. Petgrave has the exact same blank stare as career violent criminal and drug addict George Floyd.” Another racist wrote: “We all know the mainstream media will do everything and make lots of lies to protect black people especially when it involves killing white people but this zoomed clip clearly shows Matt Petgrave murdered Adam Johnson, you wont see him losing his balance, rather see him intentionally go for the kill.” In typical American fashion, race has come to the forefront of a tragedy when folks should be mourning Johnson. Instead, white folks are using this as an excuse for bigotry, vile language and vitriol. MORE FROM THE ROOT 'I Hate Black People': Despite Racist Texts, Clarence Thomas Associate Crystal Clanton Won't Be Investigated After The Drama With Keith Lee, The Real Milk & Honey Finally Responds To The Tiktok Star Reparations for Black People Across the World? This United Nations Body Thinks So SC Jail Probed After Man “Eaten Alive” by Rats The world is still in shock and disarray right now from the horrific accident. Despite this, racists are still going to act like the deplorable people they are.
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