‘Stupid and ignorant’

The NHL called it “stupid and ignorant.” Philadelphia Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds said he’s “above this sort of stuff.” A banana was thrown from the stands in London, Ontario, on Thursday night as Simmonds (pictured right) was skating toward Detroit goalie Jordan Pearce during a shootout in an exhibition game. Simmonds is black. “The obviously stupid and ignorant action by one individual is in no way representative of our fans or the people of London, Ontario,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement Friday. Despite the disruption, Simmonds scored in the shootout, but Detroit went on to win 4-3. “It shocked me and I knew I had to keep going and get a shot off,” said Simmonds, who is from Toronto. – Associated Press