This week I want to talk about just how wrong media platforms can get it wrong from time to time.

The mistake I will be talking about happened in two separate media outlets in Toronto and Montreal.

Last week Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens began their first round playoff series.

This is the first time since 1979 that the Leafs and Canadiens have met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

That’s not the important part.

The important part is that the captain of the Maple Leafs, John Tavares, was injured on one of the scariest plays I’ve ever seen live.

After receiving a hit from a Canadiens defender, Tavares fell awkwardly to the ice.

What happened in a split second after Tavares hit the ice was close to changing his life forever.

Tavares was unable to control his body after the hit and fell into the path of a fast skating Montreal forward named Corey Perry.

The play happened so fast Perry was unable to get out of the way and his knee struck Tavares flush on the head, snapping his head back viciously.

Tavares laid motionless for some time before trainers and medical staff were able to get to him.

The trainers immediately grabbed his neck to support it in case of a serious neck or spinal injury.

Their job was made harder because Tavares was still conscious and was attempting to get up under his own power.

The first time Tavares tried to get up, he ended up falling backward and again was motionless for some time.

Eventually, Tavares was stretchered off the ice and was able to give a thumbs up to the players and coaches signaling he was somewhat ok.

The extent of Tavares’ injuries weren’t known overnight.

The following morning, before news on Tavares’ current state was made, Le Journal De Montreal posted a front page photo of Perry’s knee hitting Tavares with the headline “Victoire Dramatique” or Dramatic Victory.

Even more embarrassing was the Toronto Sun front page showing a bloody Tavares being helped by medical staff with the absolutely disgusting headline of “Captain Crunched”.

While I get the side of the business where you need catchy photos and headlines to attract readers that is in no way the way to go about upping your readership.

There were multiple photos surrounding that incident that would’ve been much more powerful to use.

There was a photo of the entire Maple Leafs team skating over to Tavares when he was placed on the stretcher.

There was a photo of Corey Perry skating over to Tavares, his close friend, and wishing him well.

There were photos of the Tavares thumbs up that could’ve been used.

The fact these were the photos and headlines used when Tavares’ status was still uncertain is shocking to me.

At the time, editors and writers didn’t know if a man’s life had been permanently changed and yet decided to go ahead with brutal front pages.

Luckily, Tavares has been released from hospital after tests came back clear for any structural damage to the head, neck and spine.

The added twist to this specific injury was the waves of uncertainty and emotions for his family.

Due to the pandemic, there are still no fans in any of the arenas across Canada meaning Tavares’ family weren’t at the rink and were terrified of the possible injuries to their husband and dad.

To have media outlets print what they did before news of Tavares’ health broke makes me sick.

I get you want a higher readership but do it in a way that people will think positively of your work.

Sure, you made your money with all the clicks and discussions about your publications on social media but man oh man, did you ever lose any small bits of respect anyone had for you before.

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