BnB Podcast Deletes Its X Account After Issuing Apology
Patrik Laine, a Finnish forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets, is an extremely talented NHL player. The Winnipeg Jets drafted the 25-year-old with the second overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft when he was just 17. Laine was an NHL All-Star in his rookie season and finished second only behind Alexander Ovechkin for most goals in his second year. In 2021, Winnipeg traded him to Columbus and he has recorded more than 20 goals in each of his two full seasons with the team.
But Laine also seems to be dealing with some mental health issues. After breaking his clavicle in December of the current NHL season, he entered into the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program to receive care. He made the announcement on his Instagram account.
“After careful consideration and discussion with my support network and the team, I have recognized the importance of prioritizing my mental health and well-being. Hockey has been my passion and my life, but I have come to realize that in order to perform at my best, I need to take this time to focus on myself.”
Patrick Laine on Instagram
Even though Columbus fans would love to have him on the ice, mostly they have given Laine universal support — as have his team and teammates — for taking some time to get the help he felt he needed. The hosts of the BnB Podcast apparently didn’t get that memo.
Podcast Hosts Mock Laine And Intimate He Was Suicidal
Earlier this week, the hosts of the BnB Podcast — a show dedicated mostly to Blue Jackets discussion — raised the issue of Laine and suggested that he was considering a “Remington Retirement,” a reference to suicide. Watch:
Columbus fans and others on X expressed their disgust that the hosts would even suggest such a thing.
Initially, one of the hosts tried to defend the comment, but that didn’t last long once Laine decided to step in.
Laine Shuts Down Hosts With One Simple Statement
When he saw the clip above, Laine did not remain silent. He took to X himself to just state five words, but those five words were as harsh a condemnation as anyone could have said: “This is just not OK.”
Again, social media — and traditional media — were nearly universal both in support of Laine and with disgust for the BnB Podcast hosts.
“We’re not going to focus our anger or disappointment on those podcasters, as they don’t deserve to be prominent in our minds right now. Instead, we’re using this space to support Laine, continue advocating for a kinder, more understanding NHL world, and recognize that many of us are fighting our own difficult battles each and every day.”
Adam Proteau – The Hockey News
BnB Hosts Apologize, Put Podcast On Pause
Finally, it seemed to dawn on the program hosts that they had seriously crossed a line with their offhand joke about suicide. USA Today published the apologies of three of the hosts — “Lil Boomer,” “SC Steve,” and “Zach” — to Laine personally and to Columbus Blue Jackets and NHL fans.
“I should have caught it, said something at the time,” LiL Boomer said. “I did not. That is on me.”
He said he would step away from the podcast and “take some time to myself and get my head right.”
USA Today
Steve, who laughed at Zach’s comment, apologized to Laine for his reaction. “It was wrong,” he said. “I still hope you are getting the help that you went into the player assistance program for.”
Zach apologized for the “extremely bad comment” and said he has removed himself from X and has canceled his Blue Jackets season tickets.
Lil Boomer added, “Hopefully this (comment) doesn’t end us, but if it does, I fully understand.” Each of the three also committed to donating to Laine’s Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation program aimed at treating mental health issues.
As for the BnB Podcast, they have deleted their X account. Some of the hosts may still be on the platform but others, Zach have at least temporarily stopped using their accounts.
There is some good news at the end of this story, however. As noted above, fans expressed their support by donating $29 (Laine’s number) to the Blue Jackets Foundation. As of Tuesday, donations totaled more than $10,000.
If anyone would like and is able to donate, the link is available in the post above.
We hope Laine continues to get the care he needs and is able to return healthy — mentally and physically — to the Columbus lineup before long.
