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Commentary: Racist threats like Nazem Kadri faced have no place in sports

9NEWS Sports Anchor Jacob Tobey says Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri was the target of threats that should not be welcomed in sports.

DENVER — It was just eight days ago when Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri and his wife received racist threats via Twitter.

It came after that collision he had with Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, where Binnington sustained a lower body injury. Threats with comments like "You Muslim son of a b****" were made.

Kadri handled the situation like a pro, though.

He said it for sure was a big deal -- but made it a point that he wasn't acting like it was. He then went out and scored a hat trick to bury the Blues in Game Four, which made it so much sweeter to put those haters to shame. 

RELATED: Nazem Kadri's hat trick powers Avalanche past Blues in Game 4

Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Colorado Avalanche's Nazem Kadri celebrates after scoring during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues Monday, May 23, 2022, in St. Louis.

RELATED: Police, NHL looking into threats made toward Avalanche player

These games, the big moments and special players with their own stories are a way for us to get away from the world's problems and our struggles as human beings.

Why is it that an athlete's skin color or religion needs to be brought up when they struggle or have a moment in a game like Kadri did? 

In my opinion, yes -- it is fair to at least bring up Kadri's history and question the play, but leave that for a sports debate. His religion and the way he lives life have nothing to do with that

Sports, like music, are something that brings people together -- and we need sports more than ever right now.

There are mass shootings, systemic racism, and wars in Eastern Europe. All of it is scary. 

So let's allow sports to heal us. Don't let it divide us like everything else.  

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