NFL superstar George Kittle issued a firm response to Canada fans’ booing of the US national anthem as he took in some hockey action north of the border on Saturday night.
Kittle was a VIP guest at Centre Bell in Montreal as the US humiliated Canada to reach the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off, but most of the headlines were made before the game when the home fans once again booed the American anthem.
Kittle – a football pro but a big hockey fan – was in attendance and made his feelings clear on the boos with a strongly-worded message on his social media accounts.
Posting to Instagram, he posted a video of the booing, alongside the caption: ‘Don’t boo the anthem! USA 3-1.’
He also gloated with a second post, in which he posted a photo of the US team celebrating, alongside the message: ‘W’s for the boys! USA!’
During the game itself, there were an incredible three fights in nine seconds – demonstrating the bad blood between the two countries after the anthem was booed.
George Kittle posted a video of Canadian fans booing the US national anthem on Saturday
Soon after, the San Francisco 49ers star was celebrating a big win for America in Montreal
Kittle wore a hockey jersey and had his godson on his lap for the game north of the border
Tensions have continued to flare between the nations after President Trump recently threatened to impose tariffs on Canada.
Trump also suggested the country could become America’s ’51st state’, prompting backlash from a close neighbor and longtime ally.
With Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sat in the stands, the home fans once again showed their anger towards Trump by jeering ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’.
The booing came despite desperate pleas from PA announcers inside Centre Bell to ‘respect the national anthems’ before it played.
Fans lined up by the hundreds to get into the arena more than 90 minutes before start time and also booed every time a US player was shown on video screens during pregame warmups.
America’s J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko of Canada exchange blows in a red-hot atmosphere
Boos could be heard ringing around the Bell Centre in Montreal during the US national anthem
The crazed atmosphere in the stands clearly filtered its way down to the ice because complete chaos broke out before the game had even started.
Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel dropped the gloves just after the puck was dropped to start play.
Brady Tkachuk then fought Sam Bennett immediately after, and then J.T. Miller and Colton Parayko went at it.
Before the game had even started, a picture emerged of an American fan trolling the Canadians by wearing a Canada jersey with ‘Trump 51’ on the back.
President Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canada and suggested the country could become America’s ’51st state’, prompting backlash from a close neighbor and longtime ally
Kittle (pictured at NFL Honors last week) was at the 4 Nations game with his wife Claire (R)
When the action finally took center stage, the Canadian fans were first to celebrate when Connor McDavid scored the opening goal.
But the Americans levelled it up when Jake Guentzel fired home to make it 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.
Matthew Tkachuk was still clearly in the mood for another fight as he was seen hitting Canada players with his stick as they left the ice to return to the locker room.
Dylan Larkin scored the go-ahead goal before Guentzel’s second capped off a 3-1 win for the Americans as they emerged victorious on enemy territory.
