Latest news with #ProStars
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No longer Canadian: Wayne Gretzky's Canadian identity questioned after Donald Trump friendship sparks controversy
Wayne Gretzky's association with Donald Trump has sparked controversy in Canada (Getty Images) Wayne Gretzky, one of Canada's most beloved sports figures, has found himself at the center of a firestorm — not for anything he did on the ice, but because of who he's standing beside politically. The hockey legend's long-standing relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump has fueled nationalistic backlash, especially as Trump continues to make inflammatory remarks about Canada. Canadian fans claim Wayne Gretzky has 'lost' his Canadian identity The controversy reached a boiling point earlier this year after Donald Trump proposed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and even joked about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state. During this tension, Trump publicly referred to Wayne Gretzky as a 'free agent' when it comes to choosing between the U.S. and Canada. That comment didn't sit well with many Canadians, who viewed it as both divisive and disrespectful. — daveryder (@daveryder) Matthew Iwanyk, Chief Operating Officer and host at Edmonton Sports Talk, voiced what many Canadians were feeling. 'You were a great Canadian, but now you are not,' he said in March, according to the New York Times. 'That is the majority sentiment you will get from Edmontonians. ... As much as we love hockey, we love our country more." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo This emotional reaction underscores how deep Gretzky's influence runs in Canadian culture — and how serious the fallout can be when that identity is questioned. Wayne Gretzky responds with diplomacy, but critics remain unswayed Despite the uproar, Gretzky has made it clear he wants no part in political warfare. Speaking with Ben Mulroney on Toronto's AM-640, he said, 'I don't worry about those kind of things because you can't make everybody happy... But, trust me, I have no political power with the prime minister or the president.' Still, images of Gretzky in a MAGA hat and attending Trump events with FBI Director Kash Patel haven't helped his case in the eyes of critics. His wife, Janet Gretzky, even posted — and later deleted — a heartfelt thank-you to fellow hockey icon Bobby Orr for defending Wayne: 'It has broken his heart to read and see the mean comments.' Also Read: Throwback to when Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, and Bo Jackson became animated crime-fighters in 90s cult cartoon ProStars In the end, Gretzky's silence on Trump's policies may not be enough to protect his legacy from political fallout — especially in the country he once so proudly represented.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Throwback to when Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, and Bo Jackson became animated crime-fighters in 90s cult cartoon ProStars
In 1991, NBC's 'ProStars' reimagined sports icons Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, and Bo Jackson as animated superheroes fighting crime (Image via YouTube) Before the Marvel Universe or the superhero craze took over pop culture, three real-life legends—Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, and Bo Jackson—tried their hand at saving the world in a truly unique way. In 1991, NBC aired a bold Saturday morning cartoon series called ProStars, which turned these athletic giants into animated superheroes on a mission to help kids and fight crime. While the show only lasted a single season, it remains a memorable experiment in blending sports fame with cartoon heroism. The surprising crossover of sports and Saturday morning cartoons At the time, Gretzky was the NHL's biggest name, Jordan was dominating the NBA, and Jackson was a rare multi-sport icon. Capitalizing on their mainstream popularity, ProStars imagined the trio operating out of "Wayneom's Gym," a quirky base led by a character called Mom. From there, they launched into over-the-top missions using sports-themed gadgets—like Gretzky's boomerang hockey pucks, Jordan's basketball gear, and Bo's all-around athletic might. While the premise was ambitious, the execution didn't quite deliver. Though each episode opened with live-action clips of the athletes answering fan mail and offering moral lessons, none of the stars voiced their animated counterparts. This disconnect, coupled with flat animation and overly simplistic writing, kept the show from truly taking off. More than a cartoon—it was a 90s time capsule Despite its shortcomings, ProStars still holds nostalgic value. Its theme song proudly proclaimed, 'ProStars, it's all about helping kids!'—a reflection of the show's attempt to mix entertainment with education. Even with exaggerated portrayals and awkward humor, the series showcased how massive these athletes' influence was in the early '90s. Critics may have panned the show for its outdated stereotypes and lack of real athlete involvement, but fans remember it for the novelty and audacity of the concept. In a world where athletes rarely stepped beyond their sport, ProStars dared to reimagine them as larger-than-life heroes fighting for good. Also Read: Why Wayne Gretzky's son Trevor picked baseball over hockey despite growing up in the Great One's shadow In hindsight, the cartoon was less about the battles won and more about the cultural moment it captured—a time when Gretzky, Jordan, and Jackson were so universally admired, they could save the day not just on the ice, court, or field, but in the world of Saturday morning cartoons.
