WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 22: Washington Capitals right wing Devante Smith-Pelly (25) ready for a face off during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Ottawa Senators on November 22, 2017, at Capital One Arena, in Washington D.C. The Capitals defeated the Senators 5-2.

Smith-Pelly responds to racist chants: 'We can't brush it under the rug'

Sean O'Leary
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Icon Sportswire / Getty

Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly responded to Saturday night's racially charged incident in Chicago when a group of fans were ejected for chanting "basketball" while he sat in the penalty box.

Smith-Pelly addressing the media Sunday and acknowledged it's unacceptable for black athletes to be dealing with acts of racism in 2018.

The Blackhawks, Capitals, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman have also released statements condemning the occurrence.

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