*Should his Washington Capitals secure the Stanley Cup tonight, Devante Smith-Pelly – one of two black players on the team – says he will not make the 10-minute trip to the White House if invited for a congratulatory visit.
“The things that he spews are straight-up racist and sexist,” the Caps’ right wing said of Donald Trump Wednesday to Canadian outlet Postmedia, as the team prepared for Thursday’s Game 5 against the Las Vegas Knights.
“Some of the things he’s said are pretty gross. I’m not too into politics, so I don’t know all his other views, but his rhetoric I definitely don’t agree with,” said Smith-Pelly, who was the victim of racial taunts during a game in Chicago earlier this season. “It hasn’t come up here, but I think I already have my mind made up.”
Smith-Pelly, who hails from the Toronto area, spoke two days after Trump canceled the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles’ visit to the White House, and a day after NBA stars LeBron James and Steph Curry both said they wouldn’t visit.
Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final is Thursday in Vegas at 8 p.m. ET. The Caps lead 3 games to 1 in the best of 7 series.
