Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin recently expressed his thoughts on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but at least for Kevin B. Blackistone of the Washington Post, the NHL's leading active goal scorer failed to fully capitalize on his stature to condemn Moscow's actions.
“Well, he is my president,” Ovechkin said. “I am not in politics. Like, I’m an athlete.” — a man who appears on a megalomaniacal binge in waging war against Ukraine. It was the height of disingenuousness. After all, it was just in 2017 when the Great Eight, as we have celebrated Ovechkin, openly campaigned for Putin’s reelection, an event that apparently gave Putin the imprimatur in his mind to exercise his imperialistic designs beyond Russia’s borders.
Ovechkin has been put in an uncomfortable situation, given his known support in the past for Vladimir Putin, who's being relentlessly criticized for his major role in plunging the entire nation of Ukraine into a terrifying situation that has already left hundreds dead. Certainly, not a few people wished that the Capitals forward said more and with heavier substance. But will he be willing to up the ante and start calling out Putin?
It appears that Ovechkin has dug himself a hole here that may or may not significantly affect his legacy. In any case, it will be interesting to see whether there will be any change in tune in Ovi's next interviews.
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