Jacob Panetta vs Jordan Subban, Racism or Another Hoax?

Written on January 27th, 2022 by Jesse Schule in
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Jacob Panetta vs Jordan Subban, Racism or Another Hoax?

This past weekend a fight in the ECHL resulted in accusations of a racial gesture, leading to the indefinite suspension of Jacob Panetta. In the aftermath of a fight, Panetta was accused of making a racial gesture (simulating a monkey) directed toward Jordan Subban, the brother of NHL star P.K. Subban. This story is blowing up on social media, and before we have had a chance to evaluate all the facts, the mainstream media has acted like judge, jury and executioner.

Panetta has since been cancelled, unpersoned in Orwellian fashion. If he’s guilty then he deserves everything coming his way, there’s no place for racism in society or in sport. The problem is that the story has taken on a life of it’s own. Headlines offer no nuance, but rather a condemnation based on little to no evidence. The video of the incident widely shared on social media comes with a caption: “Panetta can be seen taunting Subban and making a ‘monkey gesture’ towards his opponent.”

This is a common tactic used by mainstream media to influence viewers. Rather than show you the evidence and let you decide what you see, they instruct you on what you are about to see. This is highly effective, but the power of suggestion doesn’t work on everyone. I’ve watched the video a dozen times, and I know what I see and what I don’t see. I see a gesture, and I don’t see any evidence it has anything to do with race.

Panetta claims that puffing out his chest and spreading his arms in a “peacock like” pose was impersonating a “tough guy”, not a monkey. This seems quite plausible, especially for those of us who have been in our share of fights. Mocking your opponent in a fight is as common as celebrating when you score a goal. NHL bad boy Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals is known to make a similar gesture when things get heated on the ice. That hasn’t stopped Wilson from issuing a statement condemning Panetta.

So I don’t know whether Panetta is guilty or not, but since I am in the business of making educated guesses, I am going to take a stab at it. Let me refer to Occam’s razor (The simplest answer is usually the correct one). The idea that a professional athlete would mock an African American opponent with a monkey gesture while on live TV, knowing that it would surely result in severe punishment, seems less likely than the story offered by Panetta. Both Tom Wilson and Jacob Pannetta have been filmed directing this type of gesture towards Caucasian opponents during games.

Historical Precedents

I will also cite historical precedent. There have been several stories that turned out to be outright hoaxes, including the Duke Lacrosse Scandal in 2006, and the Jussie Smollett story in 2019. More recently there were a few high profile cases that would be better described as misunderstandings. An FBI investigation proved that a noose found in the garage of Bubba Wallace at Talladega was actually just a rope that had been in the same spot months prior. Wallace didn’t seem convinced when he issued a statement on the FBI’s findings: “It was a noose that, whether tied in 2019 or whatever, it was a noose,” Wallace said. “It wasn’t directed at me, but somebody tied a noose, that’s what I’m saying. It is a noose.” In August of 2021 the Colorado Rockies issued a statement condemning a fan who had allegedly shouted the n-word at Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson. The story was blasted all over the major networks, but a few days later video evidence proved that the fan was shouting the name of the Rockies mascot “Dinger”. Brinson’s comments after the investigation suggest he was not convinced: “All I know is that, in my opinion, it sounds a lot like the n-word. But I’m not that fan. I don’t know what he said,”

My take is that Panetta is more likely a victim of a misunderstanding than he is the perpetrator of a racial attack. I think we should all hope that is the case, because we are better off living in a world less divided. I hope I am correct, but if I am wrong then let me be the first to cast a stone in his direction.

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Clemson vs Syracuse	Syracuse +7 -105	Free	31-14	Loss	-105	Show
This is a free play on CUSE. The Orange have given Clemson all they can handle over the years, covering in five of the last six head to head meetings. Last year they took a double digit lead into the 4th quarter at Clemson, but injuries to QB Garrett Schraeder and RB Sean Tucker prevented them from running the ball down the stretch and protecting that lead. A soft schedule so far allows Syracuse to come into this game healthy, and that might make a huge difference here. This is a dream crusher spot for Clemson, who have no chance to reach their goals after suffering their second loss of the season last week against Florida State. GL, Jesse Schule
Luton Town vs Everton	Everton -160	Premium	2-1	Loss	-160	Show
This is a 4* play on Everton. It took a miracle to avoid relegation, but Everton is back in the Premier League and they come into this weekend's match with a record of 3-1-1 in their last five matches in all competitions. They host Luton Town, who have struggled since being promoted. Luton has scored just three goals in their first five Premier League matches. Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in Everton's win over Aston Villa last week. He is only 26 years old, and despite struggling the last two seasons he did score 29 goals in 2019-2021. GL, Jesse Schule
South Carolina vs Tennessee	Tennessee -11½ -110	Top Premium	20-41	Win	100	Show
This is a 10* play on TEN. This is a huge revenge game for the Vols after they got lit up for over 60 points in a loss to the Gamecocks last year. This is also a spot where we can buy low on the Vols, as people are still down on them after they lost at Florida, and it's a sell high spot on South Carolina after they played Georgia tough and Spencer Rattler completed 90% of his passes in a win over Mississippi State last week. Rattler has been playing well so far, but history tells us that when the going gets tough he can be "rattled". This looks like a tough spot for the Gamecocks, and we aren't going to be surprised if Rattler gets rattled. GL, Jesse Schule
South Florida vs Navy	UNDER 53½ -110	Premium	44-30	Loss	-110	Show
This is a 4* play on Under. The new rules in college football season don't seem to have had a significant effect on totals for most teams, but the exception might be the likes of service academies and the likes of Iowa, Nebrasksa. This total sits at 53.5, and Navy has yet to play a game that has seen that much scoring. Early weather forecasts are calling for wind and rain in Anapolis on Saturday. Perfect conditions for a traditional ground and pound game with long slow drives that chew up the clock and result in a low scoring battle. GL, Jesse Schule
Washington vs Arizona	OVER 68½ -110	Premium	31-24	Loss	-110	Show
This is a 4* play on Over. The Huskies are the #1 passing offense in the country, and they are averaging over 49 points per game. The Huskies beat Arizona by a score of 49-39 last year, and the total for that game was 71.5. A lower number here, but I don't see how Washington scores less than 50. Both these teams want to play fast and air it out, and another high score should be expected. Last week the Bears scored 32 against Washington, I think we can count on Arizona scoring 20-30 here at home. Looking at 55-24 Huskies ... GL, Jesse Schule
Alabama vs Mississippi State	UNDER 49 -110	Premium	40-17	Loss	-110	Show
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Dana Lane	$1,479
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Jeff Alexander	$840
Jimmy Boyd	$728
John Ryan	$654
Dan Kaiser	$651
Ricky Tran	$650
Will Rogers	$496
Rocky Atkinson	$321
Nick Parsons	$314

Jacob Panetta vs Jordan Subban, Racism or Another Hoax?