Controversy Erupts Over U.S. Hockey Teams' State of the Union Plans
A firestorm has ignited around the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team following their reaction to a presidential quip about their gold-medal-winning female counterparts. The incident, which occurred after the women's historic victory over Canada, has sparked a public outcry demanding accountability from the men's squad.
Petition Gains Momentum, Calls for Action
An online petition is rapidly circulating, amassing close to 20,000 signatures as of Tuesday. The petition delivers a sharp rebuke, accusing the men's team—along with other officials present—of using their influential positions to "undermine, mock, and denigrate women athletes." It lays out two clear demands: first, that the men's team issue a formal public apology, and second, that they follow the women's team's lead and refuse to attend the upcoming State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.
The controversy stems from a phone call with President Trump, who reportedly joked that he would now have to extend a State of the Union invitation to the champion women's team as well. Video from the call showed members of the men's team laughing at the remark, a reaction that has been widely interpreted as disrespectful toward the women's monumental achievement.
Olbermann Adds His Voice to the Chorus
Adding significant weight to the criticism is former ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann, who took to social media platform X to voice his displeasure in no uncertain terms. Olbermann contrasted the decisions of the two teams, praising the women's team for declining to be "political props" while launching a scathing attack on the men.
"The men are still too stupid, self-absorbed and misogynistic to realize that going, will stick to them permanently," Olbermann wrote. He didn't stop there, actively urging NHL franchises to fabricate excuses to prevent their players from attending the high-profile political event, highlighting the potential long-term reputational damage.
The Stakes of the State of the Union
The 2026 State of the Union, scheduled for Tuesday night, has become an unexpected flashpoint in the sports world. The U.S. women's hockey team has already made it clear they will not be in attendance, a stance that has garnered respect from many quarters. This decision places the spotlight squarely on the men's team, whose attendance is now framed by critics as an endorsement of the mockery.
The petition argues that the men's presence would tacitly condone the behavior witnessed during the call. "There's no excuse," it states, emphasizing that the platform afforded to Olympic athletes carries a responsibility. The situation presents the team with a difficult choice: honor a traditional presidential invitation or take a stand aligned with the growing public sentiment supporting their fellow athletes.
A Question of Respect and Legacy
At its core, this controversy transcends a single awkward moment. It touches on broader issues of respect between men's and women's sports, the appropriate use of athletes for political spectacle, and the public image of national teams. The women's team secured a landmark gold medal, a moment of pure sporting triumph that has, for some, been overshadowed by this subsequent drama.
The pressure on the U.S. men's hockey team is now immense. With a prominent sports media figure like Olbermann applying pressure and thousands of fans signing their names to a petition, the team's next move is highly anticipated. Will they issue the apology and boycott the event as demanded, or will they proceed to the Capitol, potentially cementing a narrative of insensitivity? Their decision will likely resonate far beyond the walls of the arena or the halls of Congress.
As the clock ticks down to the State of the Union, the sports world watches and waits. This incident serves as a potent reminder that in the modern era, an athlete's actions off the ice can generate as much discussion as their performance on it.
