Social media users skeptical over ‘freak accident’ claims after video footage of incident appears to show player deliberately extending leg to strike opponent with skate.
A professional hockey player’s brutal death during a match has ignited controversy online, with the media attributing the incident to an accident, while social media users remain skeptical.
Over the weekend, hockey player Adam Johnson, 29, suffered a fatal injury during an Elite Ice Hockey League game at Sheffield Arena in England caused by an opponent’s ice skate blade slicing open his neck.
Speaking to the media, Johnson’s aunt Kari described witnessing the incident online from the US, saying, “We saw it happen. It was horrific. It was, it was. I cannot even describe it because nobody should have to live through what we saw.”
“The skate cut right through Adam’s windpipe, and it cut his carotid artery. And, at one point, they had lost him in the ambulance and they brought him back. And, um, he didn’t make it through surgery once they got him to the hospital. They just couldn’t get the bleeding to stop. He lost way too much blood.”
After Johnson’s passing, his team, the Nottingham Panthers, described the incident as a “freak accident,” with the media arguing Sheffield Steelers player Matt Petgrave, who delivered the fatal blow, required personal support due to unintentionally causing the death.
Interesting how strongly the media is running damage control on this already. pic.twitter.com/JK49ou2dfb
— Mostly Peaceful Memes (@MostlyPeacefull) October 30, 2023
However, some social media users questioned if this was indeed the case, pointing to video footage of the incident appearing to indicate Petgrave deliberately extended his leg to strike Johnson with his skate.
**WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT — VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED**
One X user claimed Petgrave in the past had been dubbed a “dirty player” by fans, and pointed out he’d “been booted out of two out of the last four games, for abuse of officials and spearing.”
“While it’s doubtful it was intentional pre-meditated murder, a deliberate outstretched leg and kick at throat height is more than an accident. The only time a leg should be held that high up while on ice is in figure skating,” the user added.
That sentiment was echoed by another user who criticized Petgrave’s high kick.
Speculation over the throat slash was so rife it made its way on to local sports talk radio in Boston, where broadcasters debated whether it was intentional.
Some questioned if the media would have labeled it a “freak accident” if a white player’s kick had led to a black player’s death.
But race couldn’t possibly be a motive, could it?
Meanwhile on Reddit, users defended Petgrave against accusations of murder.
The claims of a freak accident being responsible for the death and the media’s defense of Petgrave also naturally spawned numerous memes.
Police in the UK are reportedly investigating the death, with South Yorkshire Police stating, “Our officers remain at the scene carrying out enquiries and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing.”
They added the public should not speculate about the incident:
“We would encourage the public to avoid speculation regarding the incident while we continue our enquiries.”
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