AS I SEE IT COLUMN: While Canadians in sport remain silent, an American stands up for Canada

Someone in the world of professional sports has finally spoken out about U.S President and convicted criminal Trump’s incessant screeching about annexing Canada, and surprise, surprise; it’s not a Canadian. It’s an American.

One would have thought that by now, some slightly brave Canadian athlete in the NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB, PWHL or MLS would have torched criminal Trump’s insanity – how much more evidence do you folks need? – but no, it’s an American who is taking his president to task on behalf of all Canadians.

The coach of Canada’s men’s national soccer team Jesse Marsch – a U.S. citizen – tore into his country’s deranged leader last week, telling the convicted felon to “lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being a 51st state.”

Marsch continued his eloquent defence of Canada:

“As an American, I’m ashamed of the arrogance and disregard that we’ve shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies.”

Speaking about a big tournament for Canada’s national men’s soccer team that will be held in the states next month, Marsch had this to say.

“These international tournaments for Canada mean something different now… And as an American, I’d like to address the 51st state discourse, which I find unsettling and frankly insulting. Canada’s a strong independent nation that’s deep-rooted in decency. Really. And it’s a place that values high ethics and respect, unlike the polarized, disrespectful and often now hate-fuelled climate that’s in the U.S.”

Marsch told the assembled media that since being named coach of Canada’s national soccer team, he has learned that Canada values “fairness and unity” and is a country where people find strength in their differences.

“I’ve found a place that embodies for me the ideals and morals of what not just football and a team is, but what life is,” he said.

“And that’s integrity, respect and the belief that good people can do great things together.”

What is it about soccer that its players and coaches are brave enough to stand up for what is right and just in this world?

In 2019 the U.S. Women’s National soccer team refused to visit the White House after the team had won the World Cup (they were protesting Trump’s racist treatment of minorities). And now here’s coach Marsch – an American – telling the world the truth about the dystopian nightmare his native USA has become while celebrating Canada’s virtues of inclusion and diversity.

Similarly, what is it about Canadian hockey, football, basketball and baseball players and coaches that no one has shown the courage to call out the convicted criminal’s insanity or stand up for Canadian sovereignty?

This is how upside down the sports world is right now: A sports coach from America has the moral courage to stand up for Canada while every Canadian in pro sports on the continent is completely silent. How disappointing, especially when the likes of Canadian sports icons Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr, refuse to defend Canada’s ideals, preferring to side with someone who is gleefully punishing our country.

With anti-Canadian tariffs now in place and with the White House now clearly an arm of the Kremlin, with its desire to embrace a murderous dictator in Russia while treating Canada – America’s ally and friend – like an enemy, we need more heroic people like Coach Marsch to stand up for Canada.

Will any Canadian athletes, coaches or owners have the strength of character to fight for our nation in the brave way our American head coach of our mens’ national soccer team has?

Your country needs you.

Buy Canada. Bye America.