The “Miracle on Ice” hockey team that famously defeated the Russians during the 1980 Olympics is facing fire for wearing “Keep America Great” hats during a campaign rally for President Trump in Nevada.
Mr. Trump honored 14 of the 20 players from the legendary team in Las Vegas on Friday to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of their shocking win over the Soviet Union, which paved the way for their gold medal victory over Finland.
A Twitter account claiming to represent the team tweeted several photos of the event showing the majority of the teammates sporting the iconic red hats promoting Mr. Trump’s reelection. The account later responded to the flurry of criticism against the photos, claiming that the team did not mean to make a political statement.
“To us, this is not about politics or choosing sides,” the account tweeted. “This is about proudly representing the United States of America. Whether your beliefs are Democratic, Republican, Independent, etc. we support that and are proud to represent the USA. It is an honor and privilege!”
To us, this is not about politics or choosing sides. This is about proudly representing the United States of America. Whether your beliefs are Democratic, Republican, Independent, etc. we support that and are proud to represent the USA. It is an honor and privilege! ????
— 1980 Miracle Hockey Team (@1980MiracleTeam) February 22, 2020
Ugh…. so disappointed by the @1980MiracleTeam. I loved watching that game as a kid with my dad. Loved watching the movie with my kids. To see them on a stage, in maga hats—kinda crushing I have to say.
— Soledad O’Brien (@soledadobrien) February 23, 2020
Do you believe in scumbags?
Miracle on Ice’ U.S. hockey team responds to criticism for appearing at Trump rally https://t.co/CTVsnvjN6g via @usatoday
— Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) February 24, 2020
How disappointing….
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) February 23, 2020
Do you believe in Miracles?! Meh… https://t.co/yW1GfG7383
— Colin Hanks (@ColinHanks) February 22, 2020
During Friday’s event, Mr. Trump invited Mike Eruzione, the team’s captain, to offer a few words on the team’s head coach, Herb Brooks, who died in a car crash in 2003, The Washington Post reported. Mr. Eruzione, wearing a “Keep America Great” hat, passed the microphone to Brooks’ daughter, Kelly Brooks.
Ms. Brooks, who was also wearing a “Keep America Great” hat, then declared that her father “would have been a Trump fan,” prompting a wave of applause.
