Boston sports radio host Greg Hill unloaded on critics of the United States men’s hockey team Wednesday morning, calling the backlash over the players’ presence at the State of the Union address “fake outrage” and labeling the criticism “absolutely un-American.”
During The Greg Hill Show on WEEI, Greg Hill addressed the online reaction to the team’s appearance in Washington. Members were recognized during the president’s annual address to Congress. Some critics questioned whether the moment blurred the line between sports and politics. Hill argued the backlash said more about today’s social media climate than about the athletes themselves.
“The amount of fake outrage that I saw yesterday. From people who clearly have nothing to do but sit around on their pedestal couch and judge others was insane,” Hill said, opening the segment with a pointed rebuke of those attacking the players online.
Hill framed the appearance as a rare bipartisan moment inside a sharply divided political environment, suggesting that the recognition of the team’s accomplishment transcended party lines in a way few other moments do.
“The moment last night at the State of the Union address. When those guys came out and were showing everybody their medals. That was probably the only thing that brought the Congress and the President of the United States of America together to their feet to celebrate,” Hill said. “It’s a great thing.”
Greg Hill doubled down on his stance. He said the players earned the right to take part in national celebrations after representing the country internationally. Hill added that accepting a White House invitation or attending the State of the Union should not invite partisan scrutiny.
“To sit there and criticize a bunch of guys who did something great for this country over and over again, for accepting a visit to the White House or for showing up at the State of the Union, is absolutely un-American. It’s time to leave them alone,” Hill said.
Greg Hill also dismissed calls to boycott or unfollow individual players. He pointed to social media criticism aimed at NHL stars such as Charlie McAvoy and Jack Hughes. Hill argued that athletes representing Team USA should not face political accusations for attending a civic event tied to their accomplishment.
“If you get invited to go to the White House, so the rest of us un-athletic slobs can celebrate you for what you did for America. You go,” Hill said. “If you’re complaining about this or unfollowing Charlie McAvoy, as I saw people proudly announcing yesterday. Or you’re calling Jack Hughes a traitor, crawl back into your hole and find yourself a life.”
The comments underscore the increasingly complex intersection of sports, civic tradition and political optics, particularly when national teams become part of ceremonial moments in Washington. For Hill, however, the issue remains straightforward: athletes who represent the United States deserve celebration, not condemnation.
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