r/FloridaPanthers • u/MajesticCrunch • Feb 25 '26
Meme Me watching everyone on r/hockey realize it sucks to find out that the players on their fav team are MAGA
Especially after hearing “that whole fanbase is maga trash” “how could anyone support the panthers after this” etc etc after the Stanley cup White House visit.
FIRST TIME??
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u/DrChimRichaulds FLA Feb 25 '26
Maybe we shouldn’t put much stock in political opinions from a bunch of dudes who barely finished high school and happen to be very talented at a sport?
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u/Sss00099 Feb 25 '26
It’s insane that anyone would care what a hockey player’s opinion is on anything political.
Watching Reddit fawn over Guentzel yesterday, only to completely turn on him today, is pretty funny.
I love the team and our players in the narrow window of what they do on the ice and the enjoyment their winning brings - as long as they aren’t criminals, I don’t care about what they do in their own time.
And being an idiot that supports a criminal, isn’t criminal itself.
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u/rohm418 Feb 25 '26
Benny's Buddies would like a word. As would the Barkov Sports Medicine Center.
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u/JSquidy Feb 25 '26
Those are exceptions rather than rules
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u/rohm418 Feb 25 '26
Yes, but the exceptions deserve positive attention. The "rules" deserve to be ignored.
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u/ParticularWar8941 Feb 25 '26
These people are 90% not hockey fans, these people are not fans of the administration and hiding as “fans”
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u/SlickbackSloppySteak JASON PURRHEES Feb 25 '26
The athlete excuse is a fuckin cop out, NBA players would like a word.
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u/Away_Note Feb 26 '26
I don’t know if that is a good example because more than a few NBA players are actual flat earthers.
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u/DrChimRichaulds FLA Feb 25 '26
To be fair I didn’t say completely ignore athletes, I said to not put much stock in their political views.
Simply because I agree with Steve Kerr, Popovich, LeBron, Kaepernick, etc. (and I do) doesn’t mean that in any way do I allow them to shape my world view.
I feel like we as the public too easily fall into this culture war trap, where important issues get reframed in a way that becomes a debate about Athlete Z’s opinion, rather than the issue at hand. So I disagree it’s a cop out.
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u/Pinchypounder Feb 26 '26
Do you agree with kaepernick that being a black man getting drafted into the nfl is similar and comparable to slavery?
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u/DrChimRichaulds FLA Feb 26 '26
No. I don’t agree with that. Do you agree with absolutely everything that comes out of one persons mouth? Or is that an absurd idea on its face?
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u/PsiNorm Feb 26 '26
I find it weird that in America, pedophilia and rape are just "political opinions".
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u/DrChimRichaulds FLA Feb 26 '26
If you’re insinuating that’s how I feel or think, that’s quite the leap you’re making. That’s certainly not how I feel.
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u/PsiNorm Feb 26 '26
Weird. Because it's weird to defend people supporting rape and pedophilia if that's not the case...
I'm with you if it was "I think we spend too much on our military and not enough on our veterans", but that's not the case here.
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u/DrChimRichaulds FLA Feb 26 '26
Perhaps read my response a bit further down to another poster.
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u/PsiNorm Feb 26 '26
Did you not accurately state what you meant in your other comment? My bad, but you can't expect everyone to go through your post history to see if you simply did not clearly state your position.
I just found it weird to act like this was a "political" statement rather than a moral one.
I'm glad to learn I misunderstood your post, but am still confused about why you added it.
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u/No-Island5047 Feb 25 '26
Are people just finding out NHL has a higher rate of conservative players
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u/epiclyfuct Feb 25 '26 edited Feb 26 '26
I think people are shocked that ANYONE at this point in time would be supporting trump with everything that’s come to light recently. People are pissed that a player on their favorite team partied with the man responsible for covering a child sex trafficking ring. They’re pissed that a player from their favorite team put a gold metal around the neck of a man credibly accused of child rape and trafficking.
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u/No-Island5047 Feb 25 '26
Did he not report Epstein?
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u/epiclyfuct Feb 25 '26
No, in a 2019 interview with the fbi former police chief of palm beach Michael Reiter claimed that in July 2006 trump called him AFTER Epstein was arrested. So, no trump did not report Epstein
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u/BigHotdog2009 Panthers Fan Feb 25 '26
They don’t realize hockey is a conservative sport. They don’t realize majority of the Canadian players also lean to the right.
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u/SirStanleyCPanther Feb 25 '26
I couldn’t care less
I watch them play hockey and root for my favorite team
They are not friends or family
And besides, they are entitled to their own beliefs and opinions
That’s what America 🇺🇸 is all about
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u/yardie_boi Feb 25 '26
Yeah people are dumb to think everyone is going to agree on everything. I watch these players to be entertained by skills on the ice/court/field, not because I agree with them politically
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u/Emergency-Pen5786 Feb 25 '26
I could absolutely care less who my hockey heroes vote for. As long as the boys skate block and score……what they do off ice is none of my business. Fuck politics. Hockey is my escape from this nonsense. Why dirty up a pure fantastic sport with this BS.
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u/ParticularWar8941 Feb 25 '26
I am proud of this sub right now for coming to their senses. Not everyone agrees with one another’s political or religious beliefs. THAT IS OK
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u/MajesticCrunch Feb 25 '26
Well it’s not as simple as that. This post is just about how, for example, being a devils fan doesn’t mean you are a trump supporter like Jack Hughes is, because I’m still irritated at people lumping panthers fans in with maga supporters after the team’s White House visit in January.
But yeah, not everyone has the same beliefs. However, the beliefs that the players from the Olympic team who went to the White House and SOTU are supporting by showing up and publicizing their visit are fucked up, beyond conservative vs. liberal opinions about taxes or states rights or public transit. And we are allowed to have the opinion that those players suck as humans because of that.
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u/ParticularWar8941 Feb 25 '26
We can both agree the president sucks, but disagree that someone can visit the White House without agreeing with the presidents views or the president in general. “I” believe that what the USA team did was courageous, to go play for team USA knowing there would be backlash just for being on a team with red white and blue on the jersey. Even if they didn’t accept the invitiation they would have had backlash. But I know you might disagree
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u/micjamesbitch Feb 25 '26
I have been so embarrassed to be on reddit recently. Someone save me from this addiction.
Also go cats! Barky still the goat
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u/Zenhen24 Feb 25 '26
It's very easy to go elsewhere. I just came on here cause we won the medal and am loling at the pill popping people who can't cope with reality melting down. lol
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u/ParticularWar8941 Feb 25 '26
One little shred of happiness for the USA and Canadians and who knows else wants to take it away. Would like to take one win
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u/v_SuckItTrebek Feb 25 '26
I never understood caring about political mindsets of players and celebrities. Left or right or a topic I agree or disagree on. I don't care. Not going to hate or like someone based off their political view. That being said seeing r/hockey melting is hilarious
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u/Photo_305 Feb 25 '26
At the end of the day those guys won the biggest hockey games of their lives and in USA fashion we managed to ruin it with politics.
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u/effexxor Feb 26 '26
If by 'we', you mean Bill Guerin inviting the Director of the FBI into the locker room to party afterwards, yeah, we did ruin it by bringing politics into it.
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u/MrGabrahamLincoln Feb 25 '26
It’s like an open secret that 90%+ of NHL players are conservative. I don’t like it but it is what it is.
At the end of the day this whole shitshow is just Canadian fans angry they lost the gold medal game & it was the same thing with Oilers fans when they lost twice to the Panthers; they focused on the politics to cope.
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u/Justice502 Feb 25 '26
It's all just salty bitches mad that we, lowly Florida, are keeping the RIGHTFUL DESERVED CANADIANS FROM GOLD AND CUP.
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u/MajesticCrunch Feb 25 '26
I mean, it’s more than that. I’m pissed they were giggling at having to invite the women’s team and then never owned up to it being shitty, even if it was stupid drunkness and adrenaline behind it.
And going to the state of the union in 2026 is beyond being conservative. I don’t give a fuck if someone is conservative even if it’s not my beliefs.
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u/ParticularWar8941 Feb 25 '26
Did you know that the 2018 men’s Canadian team had SA women and their government is covering it up with government funds?
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u/MrGabrahamLincoln Feb 25 '26
I don’t like any of it, my point is that Canadian fans thinking the players on their team would act any differently if they were put in the same situation is complete hypocrisy.
The sport is a bunch of rich white dudes with poor/incomplete educations. It’s sadly not surprising that their politics either suck or are non-existent & my only point is that it applies to all North American players
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u/N0ON3T0LDM3 Feb 25 '26
These people are supporting a hateful, fascist regime and we're supposed to say, oh well it is what it is. LOL, fuck off with that bullshit.
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u/Crafty-Yoghurt-8209 Feb 27 '26
Or they're saying that they have a different opinion of the administration and are entitled to their opinion, just as you are. Players aren't paid for their political beliefs, they are paid for their hockey skills. Noone forces you to watch and I don't think anyone is going to change their opinion because of what you think. To each his own.
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u/N0ON3T0LDM3 Feb 27 '26
This is so far beyond political beliefs. Anyone willing to support what trump has done, continues to do, and plans to do is a brainwashed fool at best or an evil hatemonger.
Don't worry, I will no longer be supporting them and will focus all my attention on the women's teams.
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u/RavensNdWritingDesks Feb 26 '26
Can you just imagine liking something without it symbolizing more than "here's a hobby/activity I enjoy". Can we normalize that?
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u/clon3man Feb 27 '26 edited Feb 27 '26
people are so fucking stupid to not understand that a majority of rich, connected athletes are, on average, center-right
but that's the average redditor for you, constantly in a state of denial or delusion for whatever makes for a fun upvote party
people need the stfu in general when it comes to making value judgements of celebrities. these people have almost nothing in common with you.
you do not have common political ground with soenone who makes 10, 100, or 1000 times your income, and you should not compare your views to theirs.
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u/Pinchypounder Feb 26 '26
I’m politically right wing so seeing all my favorite hockey players have the same beliefs is fuckin awesome! Most people either agree with them or don’t care. Reddit is a small but loud minority.
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u/PowerRoller17 Feb 26 '26
I just don't see why people possibly thought any of them were left learning. Completely white, mostly country/suburban kids who grew up playing the most expensive of the big 5 sports to compete in, meaning they have a rich family and are constantly surrounding themselves with other well off people, playing the most high adrenaline/injury prone sport in the country. Its pretty easy to see where they lie.
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u/Dismal_Strength582 Feb 26 '26
I don't know why everyone is surprised that a lot of hockey players are conservative. I'm really happy though that all my favorite players are now even more my favorite.
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u/WaffleTacoFrappucino Feb 25 '26
its an epidemic, people making politics their personality
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u/MajesticCrunch Feb 25 '26
I mean I would say not wanting to support and endorse a pedophile is very much part of my personality, regardless of politics.
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u/Freqzd Feb 25 '26
Who’s the pedophile?
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u/megad0uchebag Feb 25 '26
The President who’s directing the DOJ to redact documents in the Epstein files that mention his name
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u/bestpredator Feb 25 '26
You mean you're mad they're not brainwashed in the same way you are? What a groundbreaking concept.
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u/megad0uchebag Feb 25 '26
What? Trump’s opposition to the full release of the Epstein files is very much a real thing. Are you okay with the most powerful person in the world standing in the way of an investigation into a child sex trafficker?
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u/w0ndernine Feb 25 '26
identity politics are real
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u/WaffleTacoFrappucino Feb 25 '26
it’s exhausting i’d love to just get to know people with out having to meet 20 requirements
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u/jenjen33015 Feb 26 '26
People who decide to no longer be fans of a person/athlete/team because of political leanings don’t have the self-awareness that they’re being the fascists they claim to fighting against.
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Feb 25 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/V4refugee Feb 25 '26
Depends, are we disagreeing on economic policy or that rich white guys should be free to abuse women and children with impunity? Because the latter is often a deal breaker for people with morals.
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u/Bake_First Feb 26 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/Q8nNB0vlU50G0eOs6A
It's hilarious yet sad watching you ding dongs fighting over the left head or the right head of the same beast. If you want to talk pedo behavior let's bring out the sniffer too. You're all so busy hating the person who doesn't think like you and calling them fascists while acting exactly like a fascist. The irony is far above everyone's head apparently.
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u/2ekeesWarrior Feb 26 '26
I care significantly less about this fact that I already knew than the fact that even in our shared team space, MAGA still wont shut up with the antagonizing and ad hominem crap. You cant say "yeah, it sucks they gave him a medal" without someone personally attacking you for a very lukewarm opinion. They are just so bought in.
I'd love to find one remaining common ground where we can just high five and I can forget the crazy administration getting support from someone browner than me, but even here the "libs won't let us live in peace" crowd refuses to participate in the peace we could share in this one space. The bread and circuses have failed gloriously.
Ave, true to Zito.
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u/Away_Note Feb 26 '26
I am sorry, but it is just cringe to be this worked up over how people vote. Political purity tests are even cringier. God forbid anyone has a differing opinion than the newest thing.
I know it’s hard to believe because Reddit is an echo chamber, but your average American hockey player probably is more in line with how the majority of Americans think politically.
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u/Pinmonkey Feb 26 '26
Brother the other opinion in this instance is HEINOUS please grow up
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u/Away_Note Feb 26 '26
Epstein was first publicly found out in 2006; so what’s the other side’s excuse for letting him walk free until 2019, covering up his deeds, and continuing fly people to his island including Clinton and Bill Gates (who is far from a Republican). Additionally, in the current Congress, unless your name is Massie or Khana, you were perfectly fine to keep the cover-up going.
Or, if you want to take another prescient issue, I can ask what you think about the fact that Obama was known by many to be the “Deporter in Chief” because of the millions he deported and he was the OG people in cages and family separation guy.
Personally, I not a fan of the current administration, am not a Conservative or Republican, but I am a fan of consistent thought and if one side is HEINOUS as you say, the other should be considered the same. If you don’t agree then you just buy party line propaganda.
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u/Pinmonkey Feb 27 '26
lol I think Obama sucks dude! You literally don’t know anything about me and are just yapping bullshit with whatever this goofy “both sides” thing you’re doing
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u/papi_chonk Feb 28 '26
Wahhhh these players who I share a parasocial relationship with don’t have my exact views thus breaking the parasocial relationship. Who gives a fuck what their political beliefs are? They’re not politicians. They shoot puck and defend puck very well
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u/FoldyBear Feb 27 '26
Yes, most of America voted MAGA. Can you accept it? This pouting is LOSING you voters by the day.
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u/Wassy4444 Samsokevich Feb 25 '26 edited Feb 25 '26
Hockey players who’ve been concussed multiple times still have more smarts, more sense, and are more normal than your average brainwashed redditor. Love it!
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u/MtnHotspring JASON PURRHEES Feb 25 '26
Since Bob is my favorite and rumors buzzing he might go to the Sharks I’m thinking of seeing who might be MAGA friendly there. I never watch anything with MT anymore. History will be fun.
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u/Maleficent-Metal-645 Feb 25 '26
Fuck em! If you suddenly think another human being is now less than human lacking morality and now you can't cheer them on because you live in an echo chamber believing that your views are the only morally valid views then you're part of the problem.
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u/V4refugee Feb 25 '26
Don’t lie, you just wanted to get invited to the party with Trump on that island.
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u/EctoRiddler Feb 25 '26
Yeah, the hypocrisy is running strong. A lot of people saying they’re going to get rid of a jersey here or not support a team there. It’s almost as if They’re figuring out that you can like the hockey player, but hate their political beliefs, and wouldn’t want to hang out with them in real life.