A former NHL enforcer who faced a verbal, on-air attack by hockey commentator Don Cherry says he wants an apology -- but not for himself.
Jim Thomson told CTV's Canada AM Wednesday that Cherry insulted everyone who battles addiction and mental illness with the comments he made last week.
Last Thursday, Cherry used his popular "Coach's Corner" segment to call Thomson, Stu Grimson and Chris Nilan "pukes" and "hypocrites" for voicing their opposition to fighting in hockey.
"(They say) 'Oh, the reason that they're drinking, (taking) drugs and alcoholics is because they're fighting.' You turncoats. You hypocrites," Cherry accused.
Thomson said he was "shocked" by the comments, even coming from a man who has made a career out of being controversial.
"As I look at it -- and I know Don Cherry through the years and he's said some things -- but I believe he crossed the line. And there's no need for name-calling. I have my opinion," Thomson said.
In his comments, Cherry called out Thomson and the others for suggesting that players who fight are prone to substance abuse.
Thomson has made no secret that he has battled drug and alcohol addictions, which he has said were largely brought on by his role as a fighter in the NHL. Thomson called it shameful for Cherry to make light of serious illnesses.
"He has no idea," Thomson said. "I basically got a PhD in this stuff because I've lived it. Has he even been down my road? Has he laid there the nights that I've laid there? It's shameful for him to attack the mentally ill and people with addictions."
Thomson added that he while he wants an apology, he doesn't want it for himself.
"I want him to apologize to all of the mentally ill people, people with addictions that he's slighted. It's a disease. You know, I live with these demons every day. It's walking a tightrope."
On Saturday, Cherry did not apologize, but he did step back from the language he used against Thomson and the others.
"Maybe one (regret), with the 'puke' stuff, with the kids listening and that," Cherry told co-host Ron McLean. "That's rude, and I shouldn't say it."
On Tuesday, Thomson and the others said they were considering legal action after Cherry failed to offer an adequate apology.
They released a statement through Kay Griffin Enkema, PLLC, a Nashville law office where Grimson now works as a lawyer, saying: "In light of the damaging and inflammatory nature of Mr. Cherry's comments, Messrs. Grimson, Nilan and Thomson are considering further recourse."
Thomson wouldn't say what will happen next with that threat.
"What we wanted to do was just put him on notice that he is not going to get away with this conduct," he explained.
