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Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons in 2014. During a special tribute event commemorating the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela's passing, Bernier mistakenly referred to the revered anti-apartheid revolutionary and Nobel Peace Prize laureate as one of his favorite athletes.
"He is one of the most known athletes in the world and a lot of impact in any kind of sport that he did," he said during a Toronto Raptors event. "Even playing hockey, everyone knows him. From being the type of person he was off the ice and on the ice. But you know he changed a lot while he was with us. He's a tremendous guy."
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Nelson Mandela's legacy lies far beyond the realm of athletics. He is a global symbol of justice and equality. His contributions to the struggle against apartheid and his advocacy for peace and human rights have left an indelible mark on the world.
Swift backlash followed Jonathan Bernier's comments, but he quickly offered an apology after his team's victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
"I'm embarrassed. I didn't mean to offend him, his legacy. I got flustered with the red carpet and I was nervous. I think everyone makes mistakes and that was me that night," he said as reported by The Toronto Star.
The event featured notable sports figures and aimed to celebrate Mandela's lasting impact on sport and society, while raising funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the charity Giants of Africa.
Bernier's presence was driven by his commitment to helping children in need. As he put it, "Any cause for children, I'm always up for it."
Jonathan Bernier hangs up his skates after 14 NHL seasons
Jonathan Bernier has officially ended his NHL journey, retiring after a 14-season career. With stints at the Kings, Maple Leafs, Ducks, Avalanche, Red Wings, and Devils, the 35-year-old goaltender notched a 165-163-40 record, including 18 shutouts. He boasts a 2.78 GAA and a .912 save percentage across 404 regular-season games.
Jonathan Bernier's final season with the Devils was marred by a hip injury, preventing him from taking the ice in the 2022-23 season.
