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WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Braden Holtby #70 and Devante Smith-Pelly #25 of the Washington Capitals celebrate their team's 6-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Braden Holtby #70 and Devante Smith-Pelly #25 of the Washington Capitals celebrate their team's 6-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Capitals' Devante Smith-Pelly: Donald Trump Says Things That Are Racist, Sexist

Tyler Conway
Jun 6, 2018

Two days ago, President Donald Trump canceled the planned celebration of the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl championship over dissatisfaction with the number of players expected in attendance.

It looks like he could be dealing with the same thing should the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup Final.

Capitals wingerย Devante Smith-Pelly toldย Michael Traikosย ofย Postmedia Newsย Wednesday he has his "mind made up" about whether he would attend a potential White House visit with the team.ย 

"The things that he spews are straight-up racist and sexist," Smith-Pelly said. "Some of the things heโ€™s said are pretty gross โ€ฆ It hasnโ€™t come up here, but I think I already have my mind made up.โ€

Trump has taken criticism for his racially charged rhetoric and allegations of sexism throughout his campaign and eventual presidency.

He has been insistent that athletes "respect the flag" by standing during the national anthem. NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling for the anthem in 2016, starting a trend that drew the ire of the president and much of his base. Trump has called on the NFL to suspend or fire players who kneel for the anthem.

The NFL enacted a policy that would punish teams if players did not stand during the anthem. After aย statementย from the White House canceling the planned event, Trumpย tweetedย criticism of those who kneel during the anthem despite no Eagles players having done so during the season. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders alsoย suggestedย the Eagles were pulling a "politicalย stunt."

Smith-Pelly, who is black, wasย racially tauntedย by Chicago Blackhawks fans earlier this year.

The Capitals currently hold a 3-1 lead over the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final.

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