Wayne Simmonds and Sean Avery: Yet Another Controversy

Once again, Mr. Sean Avery has found himself at the center of controversy this year.

It was reported by Avery that Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds used a homophobic epithet as an insult against Avery during the Flyers preseason 5-3 victory over the Rangers. The moment came after both teams had gotten into a skirmish after the soon-to-be-suspended-because-Shanny-don't-take-no-crap Flyers forward, Tom Sestito, boarded Rangers center Andre Deveaux. Avery grabbed Simmonds, and the two began yapping. During said yapping, Simmonds shouted the bad "F" word at Avery, and Avery did not like it one bit.



It's been a controversial week for the NHL, as Simmonds was on the receiving end of another form of ignorance when a fan threw a banana after his shootout attempt against the Detroit Red Wings in a preseason game in Ontario. Simmonds claims he does not remember what he said, but there is video evidence to go along with Avery's claims.

For those of you that don't know, Avery spent a lot of time lobbying for marriage equality in New York this summer, and is very friendly to the gay community, which is why Avery took more exception to it than some other player might have. Avery is very strong about his cause, and probably believes some punishment or reprimand should be dealt out to Simmonds

Of course, that is question that is on everyone mind's. What is going to happen to Wayne Simmonds? Should he be reprimanded, or is Avery blowing this out of proportion because of his stance?

The thing I feel that should happen is: nothing, if not a paltry fine for Simmonds.

Everyone knows that worse things have been said on the NHL rink (Claude Giroux claimed Avery threatened to kill him earlier in the game), and the word Simmonds used has been muttered a bajillion times probably. Why should Simmonds be penalized for being one out of thousands of men who have said that word countless times on NHL ice? The person he said it to, and the fact that it was caught on camera should not play a factor in this decision. However, Simmonds should not be let off without any sort of notice paid, because this is a problem.

Simmonds needs to be spoken to by someone in charge about this incident, merely as a warning sign to him, and other players in the league to watch what you say. Since this is a first-offense by Simmonds, it would only be fair to use this as a lesson for him. If another incident precedes this, then he will have to feel some Shanny-wrath. Using that word on anyone is wrong, and Simmonds was wrong in using it against Avery. There are millions upon millions of other names a player can call another player, and they should not have to refer to horrible words such as the one Simmonds used.

So let this be an example to all other players in the NHL; pick your words wisely, you never know when the camera is on you and who's listening.