Pat Maroon is taking the high road.
The Lightning winger was the subject of some ribbing at the hands of Bruins play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards, who took aim at Maroon’s weight on Tuesday night. The three-time Stanley Cup winner turned it into an opportunity to do some good.
“In support of those struggling with mental health, bullying and body image I am making a $2,000 donation in the name of @RealJackEdwards to @TampaBayThrives and I encourage @TBLightning and @NHL fans to join me,” Maroon tweeted, sharing a link to the Lightning Foundation landing page.
During the first period of the Bruins’ 3-1 win over the Lightning, Edwards noted the forward was listed at 238 pounds.
“That was Day 1 of training camp,” he said on-air. “I’ve got a feeling he’s had a few more pizzas between then and now.
“(Intermittent) fasting for Pat Maroon is like four hours without a meal. But hey, three Cups in a row, who can argue with his formula?”
Known as “Big Rig,” the hefty Lightning skater has long been plus-sized and utilizes his frame against opponents. Fellow players and media members quickly showed support for Maroon.
“Pat Maroon doesn’t care about Jack Edwards,” ex-NHL forward Bobby Ryan tweeted. “He’s been ‘fat Pat’ since we were 7 years old. He has three cups, a bunch of money, and a beautiful family. My tweet lasted longer than his thoughts about some announcer calling him big. He’s the big rig. Doesn’t change his day!”
Edwards is no stranger to broadcasting controversy, drawing rebukes for calling then-Dallas Stars defenseman Roman Polak’s injury, for which he was taken off the ice on a stretcher, “a little bit of bad hockey karma.” In 2020, his response to Andrei Svechnikov’s knee injury — “You poke the bear, you take your chances,” — saw the Hurricanes criticize the take publicly.
For Maroon, his response to Edwards is earning him plaudits across the hockey world.
“Well done Patty,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos responded on Twitter. “Donating now!”