Blackhawks Star Faces Backlash After Use of Homophobic Slur

By EmmaKate Austin

The Chicago Blackhawks will be without forward Andrew Shaw as they face the St. Louis Blues in a decisive game five of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Shaw was suspended one game by the league for using a homophobic slur after drawing a penalty late in game four. He was also fined $5,000 for an inappropriate gesture aimed at an official. Shaw later apologized for his “insensitive remarks.”

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Another big name has recently come under fire for his controversial comments.

ESPN fired analyst Curt Schilling after he shared a Facebook post commenting on North Carolina’s new law that prevents transgender people from using bathrooms that correspond with their gender identities.

This wasn’t Schilling’s first indiscretion. Last September, he shared a social media post that compared Muslims to Nazis. And just weeks ago, he openly criticized Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saying “she should be buried under a jail somewhere.”

Photo at top: Andrew Shaw practices with the Blackhawks at Johnny’s IceHouse West before the team’s first 2016 playoff game. (EmmaKate Austin/Medill)