Former NHL star Jeremy Roenick condemned those who have chosen not to celebrate Team USA men’s hockey’s gold medal victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Roenick appeared on “Jesse Watters Primetime” on Monday and talked about what it meant to USA Hockey to win the gold medal, especially over Canada, but lamented criticism aimed at the team.

“Shame on everybody for not celebrating this,” Roenick said. “Sports is not supposed to be political. It’s supposed to unite the country. We’re all supposed to get together and believe in one thing. I think 99% of Americans on social media was loving it. And then you turn around and see the politicization of the sport, and it’s just not right. The hypocrites are coming out in droves and it’s unfortunate we can’t take the greatest moments in sports and all celebrate it. It’s a real shame.”

The majority of the criticism aimed at Team USA came after players spoke with President Donald Trump over the phone in the locker room. The president invited the team to his State of the Union address and several players expressed excitement for the opportunity.

First, on Monday, the team flew from Italy back to the U.S. Then, the team went on a bus and drove around South Beach, Miami, before having dinner at an upscale restaurant. The players then partied at E11EVEN.

“There’s going to be a lot of droopy eyes,” Roenick added. “There’s gonna be a lot of hair all messed up but I’m telling you, they’re gonna represent the U.S. exactly like they did over there in Italy. They’re gonna show up with pride. They’re gonna put their thumbs up to the president, who is doing an amazing job.

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“Our country has never been better and our sports, and hockey, has never been better. And that is something to be proud of.”

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During the early1980s, under coach Craig Raub and with the help of the DeCree sisters, Toya, Fonda and Diane, Granada Hills Kennedy was the best basketball program in the City Section and one of the best in Southern California. Toya, Fonda and Diane ended up playing for Arizona State, Oregon State and Texas A&M, respectively. Toya became a coach and the mother of the NBA Holiday boys, Justin, Jrue and Aaron.

Kennedy won a City Division II title in 2023, but the Golden Cougars are trying to return to relevancy this season having advanced to the City Section Division I final on Saturday against El Camino Real at 4 p.m. at Pasadena City College.

One of the standouts is Abbigail Gomez, a transfer from Highland who’s averaging 15 points. Her parents played football and soccer at San Fernando High. She also plays for Kennedy’s flag football team.

She made a game-clinching three in the fourth quarter on Saturday to help beat San Pedro. Afterward, she turned to the crowd and blew a kiss.

“That’s for my close friends and family,” she said.

She might be even more excited if the Golden Cougars can win a City title on Friday.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

An eight-year NFL veteran who started 16 games last season has shockingly called it quits for his career. 

Los Angeles Chargers center Bradley Bozeman announced his decision on Instagram on Monday, saying he is “ready for my next chapter.”

“This game has given me so much – lessons, lifelong friendships, and memories my family will carry forever. I’ve poured everything I had into this journey, and I walk away grateful and proud.”

Bozeman, 31, shared pictures from his time with the Chargers, Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens over his eight years in the league. He saw many different coaches and teammates across three franchises, and he acknowledged them all as well as their fans. 

“Thank you to every teammate, coach, and fan I was blessed to cross paths with along the way,” he wrote.

Bozeman also showed his love for his family, including his three children: Brody, Bailey and Boone. He also called his wife, Nikki, “unbelievable,” calling her his “ride or die from the very beginning,” and adding “I couldn’t have done any of this without you!”

Bozeman finished off his post with a quote he heard during his career. 

“’Every career – no matter how decorated – ends in a trash bag,’” he wrote. “The game moves on. Someone fills your spot. I’m just thankful God gave me the chance to take the ride.”

Bozeman said that the next chapter will be “life at the farm,” as the Alabama native and former Crimson Tide lineman completed his caption with “Roll Tide.”

Bozeman was drafted by the Ravens in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, where he played in 14 games in Baltimore with one start. Then, head coach John Harbaugh gave him the nod as the team’s starting left guard for the next two seasons, starting all 16 games in each of them, before shifting to center in 2021.

With his rookie deal up after that season, Bozeman landed with the Panthers, spending the 2022 and 2023 campaigns with the franchise, where he was the team’s starting center. 

Finally, Bozeman teamed up with his old coach’s brother, Jim Harbaugh, as he signed with the Chargers to revamp their own line. He signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal with the team in 2025, but he won’t be seeing that through now. 

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Instead, the Chargers will have a spot to fill on an offensive line that struggled mightily after losing star tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt with season-ending injuries in 2025. 

Tyler Linderbaum, an ex-Ravens center, will be a hot commodity on the free agent market, and could see interest from Los Angeles now that Bozeman has retired.   

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