Former NBA MVP Charles Barkley aimed at Canadians who were critical of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky In recent weeks.
Gretzky is under the supervision of Canadians for his friendship under supervision with President Donald TrumpAnd the wife of the hockey great man said that criticism left Gretzky “with a broken heart.”
Barkley called these Canadians “Budale.”
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Wayne Gretzky arrives at the inauguration ceremony before Donald Trump swore as 47. President of the United States in Washington, DC, January 20, 2025. (Saul Loeb/pool via Imagings Images)
“You put them in Canada in Canada, giving them” great, “Barkley said during a segment on Thursday” inside the NBA. “” Wayne Gretzky is the biggest hockey player ever. He is the most beautiful person. “
Trump has become one of the most controversial figures in Canada since he returned to duty in January after suggested that the country should become 51. impose tariffs on Canadian imports to the United States
Gretzky attended a victory party after Trump defeated Vice President Kamal Harris in the 2024 election. Gretzky was noticed that he was wearing a Maga hat shortly afterwards and attended Trump’s inauguration.
“The fools in Canada have been hard for him to give him time because of the tariff with Trump and everything,” Barkley said. “He has nothing to do with it. He played a hockey. He’s the biggest hockey player ever. He didn’t get control over what these fools do down in our government.”
Center Wayne Gretzky of New York Rangers in Action during the Okod Skating Praise Before the Rangers Game from Florida Panthers in Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, October 8, 1996. (Zoran Milich/Allport)
Trump said he asked Gretzky to become the next “Canada governor” after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would resign. But after Gretzky expressed his support “Canada, which remained a separate country, instead of becoming nurtured and beautiful 51.”, ” Trump declared Gretzky a “free agent.”
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“I do not want anyone to say anything bad about him in Canada. He supports Canada as he is, as he should, although not nearly as good as it could be part of the largest and most powerful country in the world, good ole ‘USA!” Trump wrote in a social post of truth.
Gretzky’s friendship and interaction with Trump during controversy encouraged a sharp return against the hockey legend of Canadian, although he had been universally loved in the country since his career.
Wayne Gretzky New York Rangers celebrates a goal in the third period of the match against Dallas stars in Dallas on November 7, 1997. (AP Photo/LM Odoro, file)
In response, a colleague of Canadian legend of hockey bobby orr wrote a column in Toronto Sun. expressing disappointment when he read the criticism of Gretzky.
“How can people be, when someone who gave so much time and effort to treat Canadian hockey in this way,” Orra’s column said. “Listen, we all have our personal beliefs that they relate to things like religion and politics. Wayne respects your right to such beliefs – why can’t you respect his?”
Gretzky’s wife Janet Gretzky then shared an Orro column on social media, pointing out that criticism “broke his heart”.
“Thanks Mr. Bobby Orr. Your words mean the world of Wayne and his family, I have never met anyone who is more proud to be a Canadian and that has broken his heart to read and see vicious comments … He would do anything to be proud of Canadians, with love for hockey and his country,” Janet, “Janet,” Janet, “Janet wrote in an Instagram post Division of orr columns.
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