Jeremy Roenick Cited Fake News To Blast Marshawn Lynch For Sitting During National Anthem

By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 14, 2017 7:40PM

Jeremy Roenick, 2010 / Getty Images / Photo: Kevork Djansezian

Jeremy Roenick is apparently no fan of athletes who sit during the national anthem, and he let his opinion be known on Monday in rather dubious fashion, by citing a false quote.

The ever-outspoken former Chicago Blackhawks center took to Twitter to chastise Marshawn Lynch—who stayed seated during the anthem at a preseason game over the weekend. Lynch had in the past spoken on behalf of Colin Kaepernick's national-anthem protests.

Roenick cited a (false) quote by Steelers linebacker James Harrison that anyone who sits for the anthem "better be in a wheelchair." JR enthusiastically seconded the sentiment. "Now this is a man I want on my team! Too bad bad we have to sit around and watch disrespectful athletes sit on coolers!! Disgraceful!" Roenick tweeted. Lynch "should have stayed retired," Roenick added, in a follow-up tweet.

But as folks like hockey writer Dave Lozo pointed out, Harrison—who was charged in 2008 with assaulting his girlfriend—maybe isn't exactly a moral authority; and the headline that Roenick cites maybe isn't exactly the best source. (It comes from a LockerDome.com article, written by "Happy Gilmore.") As Awful Announcing mentioned, a rep from the Steelers public-relations wing confirmed that Harrison never made the alleged comment. Harrison himself then reiterated on Monday that the statement wasn't his.

A Twitter user than fired back at Roenick for using his platform to criticize Lynch while not commenting on the Charlottesville tragedy. Roenick replied that neo-Nazis and white supremacists "should be gathered up and sent" to North Korea.

All in a day's work for one of pro hockey's few actually-candid figures. Lets hope next time he chatters away it doesn't all stem from a fake news story.

[H/T Tribune]