Days after hockey icon Don Cherry was fired for comments during a Coach’s Corner segment, NHL legend Bobby Orr is standing behind his long-time friend.

Appearing on Boston radio station WEEI on Thursday, Orr said what happened to Cherry was “disgraceful.”

“I know Grapes better than anyone. He’s not a bigot and he’s not a racist,” Orr said. “What they’ve done to him up there is disgraceful. It really is.”

Cherry was fired by Sportsnet on Monday after he complained immigrants — whom he referred to as “you people” — weren’t wearing poppies honouring veterans. The 85-year-old was a host on Hockey Night in Canada for 37 years.

Orr, who played under Cherry when he was the coach of the Boston Bruins in the 70s, also described him as “the most generous, caring guy.”

Later on Thursday, Cherry tweeted for the first time since his dismissal, thanking people for their support. He also indicated he wasn’t just going to disappear.

“Just want to thank everybody for all the support and kind words. You’ll be hearing from me soon. Thumbs up!”

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