Report: Former player speaks out on Getzlaf’s homophobic slur

When the cameras revealed Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf shouting a homophobic slur during his team’s Western Conference Final game 4 victory over the Nashville Predators, he was fined $10,000 by the NHL. A day later Getzlaf clearly regretted the remarks, but took special care to distance himself from the “homophobic” label.

"There was obviously some words said, not necessarily directed at anyone in particular," said Getzlaf late Saturday night. "It was just kind of a comment. I've got to be a little bit more responsible for the words I choose. It's tough to see someone refer to it as [homophobic]. I didn't mean it in that manner in any way.

One former player, OHLer and semi-pro Brock McGillis, has stepped forward to express his disappointment in Getzlaf’s comments and his defense of himself. "I don't care how you mean it, when you say the word, it's a homophobic slur," said McGillis. "He doesn't sound, in my opinion, very apologetic. He's comparing what he said to a curse word and he didn't apologize to the LGBTQ community or take ownership of his actions. That's quite disappointing."

McGillis himself has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights in Ontario since he came out this past November. He’s happy that the league took initiative in handling the situation, but doesn’t feel like they went far enough. "If anyone in a regular field of work were to use that type of language they would lose their job," said McGillis. "I'm not saying either of the players should lose their jobs, because it's a mistake and it happens. However, I don't think the penalty is harsh enough."

 Regardless, it seems like the matter is now behind Getzlaf and he’s promised not to use the term again.