GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres is being criticized for wearing blackface while dressed as rapper Jay-Z at a Halloween party.
Torres and his wife starting drawing the ire of fans and some media after teammate Paul Bissonnette posted a photo on Twitter of the couple dressed up as Jay-Z and singer Beyonce Knowles, with both wearing blackface to a party Sunday night.
The Coyotes released a statement on Monday saying the costumes were not racist and that Torres and his wife wore them because they’re big fans of the entertainers.
Torres is in his first season with Phoenix after signing as a free agent.
