It might be hard to believe, but not everyone knows about the legacy of Nelson Mandela. What an awkward moment as hockey player pretends to know who Nelson Mandela and described him as a world known athlete.
During a recent charity event in honour of the South African legend the goalkeeper for the Toronto Maple Leafs had a very cringeworthy moment on the red carpet.
When asked about his knowledge of Madiba, Jonathan Bernier gave a rather unexpected answer.
Without missing a beat he said: “He’s one of the most known athletes in the world. He had a lot of impact in any kind of sport that he did. Even playing hockey…everyone knows him right? From being the kind of person he was off the ice and on the ice.”
Question: Obviously Nelson Mandela, one of the most significant historical figures of the twentieth century. What knowledge or awareness did you have of him growing up, or when did you learn of him?
Bernier: Well obviously growing up, he’s one of the most known athletes in the world. A lot of impact in any kind of sport that he did, and even playing hockey, everyone knows him, right? From being the type of person that he was off the ice and on the ice. It’s unfortunate that he passed a year ago, but, he changed a lot while he was with us, and he’s a tremendous guy.
Bernier: I just think the way he met that is, you know, to me growing up playing sports with my parents was something really special cause I could share, try to be a leader, try to share things, and things like that where, you know when you’re a group sport you need to do that right? Be as one, and I think that’s what he met, and I think sports is really powerful. A lot of people obviously love to play the game, it can be hockey, basketball football, a lot of people watch that, and I think that’s kind of the message I personally got from the…
Oops, that’s a remarkably bad response and a fascinating example of somebody bullshitting when they have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about. When you’re going to an event that honors one of the most well-known people in the world, you should probably know who he is.
