Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
A new article from The Toronto Star has caused a stir as it targeted Auston Matthews for not being a team player, with other members of the media coming to his side.
That doesn’t seem like enough for some, and a recent Toronto Star article from Damien Cox has sparked a lot of criticism.
Media up in arms after Toronto Star article criticizing Auston Matthews
Titled ‘Auston Matthews made his choice, seemingly putting the party and the president ahead of the playoffs’, Cox described how Matthews’ choice to visit The White House and enjoy himself was not something indicative of a captain and that he prioritized his own interests against the Maple Leafs’.
That didn’t sit well with some, as Leafs Morning Take co-hose Nick Alberga replied boldly that the captain shouldn’t have to deal with this — and hopes he doesn’t have to much longer:
I hope Matthews leaves in 2 years.
Shouldn’t have to deal with this bulls***.
He followed it up with another scathing take, questioning the journalistic integrity of the piece:
It’s caused a bit of a clash on social media, with fans getting tired of the constant bickering and back and forth tension:
But really, there are two sides to this story that we have to look at. One side has media frustrated at Matthews for not giving his all right away after the Olympics, and believe that he doesn’t care about his NHL team as much as his native country.
Matthews does not deserve hate for enjoying first taste of real success
I’m sorry, but this is a guy who for a decade was criticized for not getting it done, was criticized while getting it done, and still gets it afterwards. He can’t enjoy life for a bit? He was instrumental in helping Team USA end a near 50-year gold medal drought, so you’d think he would like to revel in that too.
Matthews is the leader of the Maple Leafs, and his responsibilities lie there for sure, but to come at him for doing something only a handful of players ever have is a bit ludicrous.
Nick Alberga was right to be upset at Damien Cox’s article, as should Auston Matthews and every other Leafs fan. He didn’t give up on his team but found a way to become a better and more successful leader.
If fans and media aren’t going to be happy about that, then what’s it going to take?
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Toronto Star column on Auston Matthews sparks backlash from Maple Leafs fans
Does Auston Matthews deserve so much of the criticism he gets?