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Blackhawks announcer apologizes after making reference to suicide on air during loss to Stars

A Chicago Blackhawks announcer apologized on Monday night after he tried to make a joke about suicide on the air.

Blackhawks broadcaster Pat Foley, during their 5-4 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars at the United Center, said that if he had “been traveling with the team this year, I might have put a bullet in my head.”

Foley was, apparently, upset about the traveling restrictions put in place to protect players and others involved with the team from contracting COVID-19.

Naturally, that comment didn’t sit well with many watching the game at home. He apologized on the team’s telecast soon after.

The Blackhawks issued a statement after the game, saying that they were "incredibly disappointed" with Foley's comments.

"[That was] an absolutely unacceptable choice of words that trivialized mental health and suicide while discussing the challenges and loneliness the team may have faced during COVID-19 restrictions," the team said, via USA Today.

"We know many of our fans and other community members are struggling with similar thoughts and feelings, especially after this trying year, and we want them to know their wellbeing is no joking matter. Mental health is of the utmost importance to the Blackhawks, and we are speaking to Pat further about his insensitivity."

Foley has gotten in trouble for comments he has made on air before. In 2019 while the Blackhawks were playing German team Eisbaeren in Berlin in a preseason game, he said that Eisbaeren’s Austin Ortega “sounds like he ought to be a shortstop” on the air.

The comment about Ortega, who was born in California, came during Hispanic heritage month. He apologized to Eisbaeren and Ortega after the incident, per The Chicago Tribune.

Foley has been with the Blackhawks since 1981, and was selected as the Hockey Hall of Fame Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner in 2014.

 The Blackhawks TV crew analyst Pat Foley
Pat Foley said that if he had "been traveling with the team this year, I might have put a bullet in my head" during Chicago's game with Dallas on Monday. (Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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