Don Cherry sends fans a surprising message on the five year anniversary of his firing

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Daniel Lucente
November 10, 2024 (1:42 PM)

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It's five years to the day that Don Cherry got fired for his poppy rant, and he has just surprised fans with a very special message that is sure to get them excited.

Five years after his unceremonious exit from 'Hockey Night in Canada', Don Cherry is, well, still Don Cherry.

The longtime face of Coach's Corner, his bombastic commentary has become as synonymous with Canadian sports broadcasting as the CBC itself.

He recently issued a message to the hockey fans of Canada and its citizens, too, repeating a mantra that has been near and dear to his heart for many years: that Canadians must do more to appreciate sacrifices made by veterans who fought to defend the freedom of the country.

"I don't see any change," said Cherry with sadness in his voice. "You go downtown you don't see any poppies."

It wasn't until 2019 that Cherry would leave 'Coach's Corner', days after his impassioned on-air plea to Canadians to wear poppies in acknowledgment of Remembrance Day.

Included in his call to action was a barbed critique of those Canadians whom he believed were not showing respect to veterans.

The broadcast of this message, just days before Remembrance Day, generated much debate and outrage and ultimately resulted in the announcement of his termination on November 11, 2019, a fact well-known by Cherry himself, making for quite the irony.

Half a decade or so later, Cherry says he is still proud of what was said and has never apologized for it.

"I have no regrets about the poppy," answered Cherry when asked about whether or not he had any regrets.

Though he admits to a residual bitterness at how his exit from the program was handled, he feels he still had a few good years left to give to HNIC if he were given the opportunity.

"I have regrets when I see the guys on television and I think of the fun I could have had," said Cherry. "I could have gone on for another couple of years, but it was time to go."

In the most recent post, Cherry again called on Canadians to support the cause of Remembrance Day and the appreciation for the men and women who served in it, imploring them to purchase a poppy as a symbol of respect and gratitude. He stated that he himself still buys several yearly in a continued show of support.

"Wear one and give twenty bucks," said Cherry. "That's what I give all the time and I grab a handful."

You can watch Don Cherry's latest video message to fans below:

Don Cherry's recent message to fans