Former New York Rangers legend Ron Duguay, who is also the partner of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, has sparked significant controversy by blaming the team's latest loss on their Pride Night celebration. In a remarkable social media outburst, Duguay claimed the event at Madison Square Garden created "bad mojo" that led to the Rangers' 4-1 defeat against the Los Angeles Kings.
Social Media Outburst and Criticism
Duguay took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his views following Monday night's game. "I didn't want to say it before the game but I saw this coming," he wrote. "Down 4–1 right after the singing National anthem to (the Pride Flag) to a small group, bad idea bad mojo."
The former hockey star, who was drafted by the Rangers in 1977 and enjoyed a 22-year professional career, specifically targeted what he described as "college brain washed up, woked kids" within the organisation. He asserted that approximately 70% of fans attending the game wanted no part of the Pride celebration, preferring instead a traditional family night out.
Deleted Posts and Continued Criticism
Although Duguay subsequently deleted his original post, he retweeted coverage of his comments from other sources. Prior to the game, he had also criticised the team's announcement of the Pride Night celebration, questioning the wisdom of what he termed a "political" event at a professional sports venue.
"Have you not been reading & watching the news???" Duguay wrote in response to the team's announcement. "What if a situation was to occur at the Garden? What then? How can a professional, none political entity like a sports team sanction this stuff on families especially with kids???"
Context of Duguay's Health Battle
These controversial comments come amid Duguay's ongoing battle with stage four colon cancer. The 68-year-old recently went public with his diagnosis after fighting the disease for over a year, revealing in an exclusive interview with Daily Mail earlier in March the significant impact his treatment has had, including the loss of his appendix and gallbladder.
Duguay has been dating Sarah Palin since 2022, though the couple have largely maintained privacy regarding their relationship. His health struggles have added a poignant dimension to his recent public statements.
Pride Night Details and Team Performance
During the Pride Night celebration at Madison Square Garden, a pride flag was displayed on the ice before the game began, and pride night pouches were distributed to the first 10,000 fans arriving at the arena. The event occurred during what has been a particularly challenging season for the Rangers, who currently hold the worst record in the NHL with 28 wins and 31 losses.
Duguay, who worked as a Rangers analyst for MSG Network from 2007 to 2018, called for team leadership to "show some courage and stop this" type of celebration, advocating instead for what he described as traditional family-oriented events.
Team Outlook and Upcoming Games
The Rangers face fierce rivals the New Jersey Devils in their next game on Wednesday night, with both teams experiencing difficult seasons. The controversy surrounding Duguay's comments adds another layer of discussion to what has already been a challenging period for the historic franchise.
As the debate continues about the appropriate role of social celebrations in professional sports, Duguay's remarks have ignited conversations about inclusivity, tradition, and the intersection of sports with broader social issues.
