Fans call for Ryan Whitney to be canceled after inappropriate post

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Hunter Bowman
April 29, 2024 (8:56 PM)

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Former NHL player and current Barstool Sports personality Ryan Whitney is facing a wave of criticism over a controversial social media post involving the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Even though he hung up his skates, Whitney's fiery persona hasn't mellowed. Now a prominent figure on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, owned by Barstool Sports, he's no stranger to contentious moments, and his recent online activity is no exception.

In the heat of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Bruins leading the Maple Leafs 3-1 in the series following a recent Boston victory, Whitney posted an image that many have criticized as tasteless and insensitive, especially at a time when hockey culture itself is under scrutiny.

Leafs fans I feel for you guys. This ain't right.

The backlash was swift, with social media users quick to condemn the post, which appeared to feature an AI-generated image, calling it misogynistic and tone-deaf.

I'm not a fan of the Leafs but what Ryan Whitney posted earlier today was way offside. That is not okay.

Sadly, terrible people are going to use AI for awful reasons. Block and report. Don't share, don't re-post.

"Just when you thought hockey culture couldn't get any worse, Ryan Whitney is here to remind us how comparable being forcefully r---- is to losing a hockey game.

#LOSER

Despite playing 481 NHL games, Whitney has remained silent in the face of the online storm, choosing not to engage with his detractors. Barstool Sports, known for its polarizing content under the leadership of Dave Portnoy, has yet to comment on the matter as well.