Internet Incensed At Photo Of Justin Bieber With Stanley Cup
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 10, 2013 2:00PM
Commenting on the Internet is often like a Greek Chorus of ignorance and stupidity. Here's the latest example. The Chicago Blackhawks allowed soft-faced manchild Justin Bieber to pose with the Stanley Cup before a show in Chicago. (The Hawks also customized a jersey with Bieber's name.)
The Biebs meets THE CUP!!! pic.twitter.com/oh4AvDbYbT
— Peter Hassen (@PJHASSEN) July 10, 2013
Blackhawks Senior Director of Market Development and Community Affairs Peter Hassen shared the photo on Twitter because, you know, it's his job and all. The response online was fast, furious and comical. Mashable gathered some of the more indignant responses, including this one.
Who the hell let Bieber touch the Stanley Cup? #whyyyy #contaminated
— Daniella Amato (@daniinicole16) July 10, 2013
And this one from the aptly named Masshole Sports.
Just lost a lot of respect for Blackhawks. #Bruins wouldnt have let this happen RT @PJHASSEN The Biebs meets THE CUP! pic.twitter.com/M28MedmGDA
— Masshole Sports (@MassholeSports) July 10, 2013
Hassen responded to the outcry by asking people to slow their collective roll.
@oc_sports people need to relax. Justin Bieber reaches the same market audience that we will need to be the next Blackhawks fans.
— Peter Hassen (@PJHASSEN) July 10, 2013
Hassen, for what it's worth, is spot on. Having a pop star-possible future statistic pose with the Stanley Cup is certainly no worse than the abuse heaped upon it by hockey players over the past 120 years. It isn't like Bieber pulled a screwdriver from his shorts and scratched, "I'm sure Lord Stanley would be a Belieber if he was alive today" inside the bowl. (Plus, Bieber's Canadian and a hockey fan and player, so there may ostensibly be some native emotional national connection to the Cup for him.)
If people want to be pissed off by celebrities posing with the Stanley Cup, be angry that Jim Belushi was on the ice hoisting the trophy over his fat head like he assisted on Dave Bolland's winning goal.
Oh, wait. You already were.