Sharks’ Logan Couture says he was ‘sucker punched’ for supporting Trump, Republicans
San Jose’s captain is Canadian, and isn’t eligible to vote in the Nov. 3 election.
San Jose Sharks’ captain Logan Couture says he was sucker-punched Tuesday night in Toronto because he was speaking about voting for the Republican Party, and for mentioning President Donald Trump.
I spent last night in Toronto Ontario. I talked about voting for the Republican Party, and I mentioned Donald Trump by name. I was sucker punched. Is this really what we are coming to? If you vote you are a villain? Man this world is so wrong
— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) August 26, 2020
The 31-year-old Couture is a Canadian, who was born in Southern Ontario. He cannot vote in the U.S. election on Nov. 3. He went back-and-forth with a few people on Twitter and explained that he would cast a ballot for the GOP because his father used to be a police officer.
Saying my dad was a police officer and I “would” if I could vote republican.
— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) August 26, 2020
In a later deleted tweet, Couture mentioned Rogers Sportsnet host Tara Slone, saying he wouldn’t appear on the network again.
Are you serious @TaraSlone ? I don’t vote, I never said I like Donald Trump. I don’t. Last time I do anything for @Sportsnet
— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) August 26, 2020
Slone tweeted out that she had a phone conversation to clear the air with Couture, and that he apologized. Couture added that he will not speak about his political views publicly again due to the incident.
And I’ve learned that. I’ll never talk politics in public again. Just crazy to me, if you speak your own opinion violence happens. Even crazier, people are okay with it.
— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) August 26, 2020
Couture is entering his 11th season with San Jose, and his second as the team captain. Previously, he has publicly supported teammate Evander Kane and former NHL player Akim Ailu —who are both Black men— when the pair shared their experiences with racism in hockey.
My thoughts. Sorry if this offends anyone. All love ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9BbktIrxqd
— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) May 30, 2020
The Sharks joined their fellow Bay Area professional sports teams in an initiative to support Prop 16, which aims “to restore California’s equal opportunity programs like affirmative action, and to combat systemic discrimination in public contracting, employment, and education.”