Competition promotes motivation, determination, and perseverance to overcome any challenge thrown at a person. When is it okay to say “emotions took over”?

On April 19, during game four of the Blackhawks-Blues series, Chicago forward Andrew Shaw directed a homophobic slur towards an on-ice official after being called for a penalty. Shaw was caught on camera mouthing the words.

Shaw did not remember what he said when being asked after the game, but proceeded to apologize the next day.

“When I got home and saw the video, it was evident that what I did was wrong, no matter the circumstances. I apologize to many people, including the gay and lesbian community, the Chicago Blackhawks organization, Blackhawks fans and anyone else I may have offended,” Shaw said during a Blackhawks press conference. “I know my words were hurtful and I will learn from my mistake.”

Shaw was fined $5,000 and suspended for a game by the NHL.

I was very disappointed when I saw the video surface. But at the same time, Shaw has a reputation with the NHL of being a goon and an irritant.

Playing ice hockey for about seven years now, I’ve had my fair share of someone calling me the worst possible name in the book.

Emotions can get the best of a person when it comes down to the last few minutes of a game and you’re sick and tired of the pushing and shoving. You’re angry because your team is down a goal or someone took a bad penalty.

Words get thrown around and players end up saying things that you wouldn’t normally say to a person on the street.

But at the end of the day we all go through the handshake line and say “good game” or “man you are an aggressive but awesome player.”

Think about it from the referee’s perspective. Not only do the players have the stress of trying to win the game for their fans but on-ice officials have the stress of trying to make the right call.

They have the stress of stopping players from beating each other up without getting hurt. They have the stress of saying whether a goal is actually a goal.

The referees are held to a high professional standard because they are responsible for the flow of the entire game.

Imagine if a referee went around swearing at players. It wouldn’t go over very nicely. They’d probably be fired for unprofessional behavior.

To be honest, Shaw got off easy.  

Emotions can get the best of people but that does not make it right to throw around offensive language. The only way you and your team will win a game is by putting points up on the scoreboard.