TSN: 2 teammates independently corroborate Akim Aliu's allegations against Peters

[Flash Walken]

Eric Francis working to confirm the writing on the freakin' wall.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

a. So just like a lot of us thought it went down. In fact a combination of them.
b. Good on Dowling.
c. Peters was a 45 year old guy at the time I think. Not a kid. And it wasn't even provoked by a loss of temper - he walks in, drops the bomb, walks out. Doesn't apologize after for a loss of control, doesn't offer any ignorance defence.

He's done.

Yeah, the only part that could be missing is the followup. Implied by Akim is that Peters was confronted on it, so the team should have been as well. How was the team ok with Peters dropping that in the dressing room like that and then following up 2 more to stand behind it?

The Flames still looking into this after 2 teammates corroborate Akim's POV is odd as you'd think that would be enough to start moving on.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Flamesguy_SJ

https://twitter.com/user/status/1199381055834185728

Eric Francis
@EricFrancis
After touching base with various stakeholders in this ugly situation, I can no longer see any scenario in which Bill Peters remains coach of the Flames.

No surprise now.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Split98

Yeah, the only part that could be missing is the followup. Implied by Akim is that Peters was confronted on it, so the team should have been as well. How was the team ok with Peters dropping that in the dressing room like that and then following up 2 more to stand behind it?

The Flames still looking into this after 2 teammates corroborate Akim's POV is odd as you'd think that would be enough to start moving on.

The flames aren't doing any kind of investigation, they are trying to come up with the best exit strategy possible.

This isn't in tre's hands anymore, this is in the comms and lawyers hands.

[PepsiFree]

If you are the type of person who thinks calling hip-hop “n##### s###” is “fine” or in any way okay, you have some serious growing to do. Even aside from what you feel the consequences should be (and there’s nothing wrong with debating that) we should all be able to agree that a statement like that is in no-way even remotely acceptable under any terms.

It is racist. Plain and simple. There is no grey area.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

First sentence was not fine you goofus, it was racist as ####.

The fact that you refuse to see it that way makes me think you're a racist.

People out East say Alberta is racist. It's comments like you quoted on a Calgary based board that makes them pass on comments like this.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by DJones

What song could he possibly be quoting there haha? That's just brutal

The new one that just popped up on I tunes has those exact lyrics its titled this song was made in 2008 strangely it sounds like Bill Peters is singing it

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

If you are the type of person who thinks calling hip-hop “n##### s###” is “fine” or in any way okay, you have some serious growing to do. Even aside from what you feel the consequences should be (and there’s nothing wrong with debating that) we should all be able to agree that a statement like that is in no-way even remotely acceptable under any terms.

It is racist. Plain and simple. There is no grey area.

There's no grey area because people who think it's fine like to separate black and white.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I would like to believe that in ten years a person can change. That said there is no way to prove something like that even if it were the case.

I'd like to believe it too, though he was 45 and this was 2009-10, not something he said as a youth in a different era.

That said, even if he's changed, and even if I am convinced of it, it's pretty hard to keep him around. The brand would be tarnished, the issue would never close, and it would affect the team, too.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I don't think the Flames give him a chance to resign.

If Hanlon knows what he's doing, the Flames need to be seen to treat this as zero tolerance.

You fire an employee like that, you don't let them leave on their own accord.

Agree this needs to take place very quickly, unless Brad wants to spend his future scrums answering "how much racism is too much racism for the Flames?" questions. Might as well light the franchise on fire at that point.

[BigBrodieFan]

My heart is breaking reading this. It’s hard enough trying to fit in to any hockey club with the pressure, but being a person of colour in an historically and presently white sport had to make it 1000 times more difficult. Shame on Peters for this crap. I am embarrassed to have ever supported him. Get rid of him, we don’t need this garbage on our team or near our players.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Yeah, I can't believe anyone would have issue with the first line. As you said it's totally fine a white man yelling the N word at a black man who's under his authority. If we keep catering into the PC crowd, soon we won't be able to wear our Ku Klux Klan robes to work on casual Friday.

Oh it was obviously inappropriate and not professional in anyway. But if he had stopped talking there an apology would have sufficed for something that happened 10 years ago.

All together though there's really no way out of it, he just lost his whole career. He's obviously got some issues with race and it wasn't just a one off comment.

[united]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1199379943605407744

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'd like to believe it too, though he was 45 and this was 2009-10, not something he said as a youth in a different era.

That said, even if he's changed, and even if I am convinced of it, it's pretty hard to keep him around. The brand would be tarnished, the issue would never close, and it would affect the team, too.

I would also like to believe that becoming a better person is something that anyone at any age can do. That said, does changing your attitude towards race atone for any harm you caused in the past?

[IliketoPuck]

The Flames will do the right thing.

Keeping in mind that careers, reputations, etc. are at stake here, the investigation will be professional, thorough, relatively expeditious, and, assuming the reports are true, will result in Peters being removed.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by direwolf

This season has just been one massive dark cloud. I guess when all the dust settles, we can at least look forward to the inevitable new coach bump, and the Flames can climb back up the standings.

All the way up to their familiar stomping grounds of 8th-10th in the conference, where they just miss the playoffs and select some kid at the draft who projects as a middle six winger if he can overcome his warts. Rinse and repeat.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Split98

Yeah, the only part that could be missing is the followup. Implied by Akim is that Peters was confronted on it, so the team should have been as well. How was the team ok with Peters dropping that in the dressing room like that and then following up 2 more to stand behind it?

The Flames still looking into this after 2 teammates corroborate Akim's POV is odd as you'd think that would be enough to start moving on.

I suppose if no one said anything to management, it would be hard for them to do anything. The two teammates who have spoken up haven't said they took it further, and I don't know if Dowling did either. And it would have been hard for them - they were in the AHL, looking to move up or keep a job. That said, Stan Bowman is still there and maybe sweating some.

I agree with the poster above who says they aren't investigating, they are exiting.

[Timbo]

If true, and it looks more and more that it is, the Flames have no option but to dismiss Bill Peters.
I expect an announcement no later than today.

[Timbo]

BP has been fired !
As per SN590

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by Fire

Hire Darryl Sutter for one year. Win Cup. Find new coach in off-season.

I can get behind this plan.