As the Bruins continue to try to pick up the pieces in the immediate aftermath of their disastrous signing of Mitchell Miller, Isaiah Meyer-Crothers — the victim of Miller’s extensive racial bullying for years — spoke out on Wednesday in a statement released via the Hockey Diversity Alliance.
Here is Meyer-Crothers’ full statement:
“I am Isaiah Meyer-Crothers. I would like to make a statement. I have been bullied since I was in 1st grade. There were not many black kids at my school. I was called "brownie" and “n------.” Kids said my black mom and dad didn't love me that's why I had white parents.
“Mitchell used to ask me to sit with him on the bus and then he and his friends would punch me in the head. This happened my whole time in school. When I went to junior high Mitchell would spit in my face and call me a N word. I stopped telling because they called me a snitch and I would get made fun of. I had to say I was "his n------” to sit at his table and he made me clean the whole table.
“He threw food in my face. I was called “n------”every day. The office would tell me to stay away from him because he wasn't my friend. Once he got expelled from school, his friends started bullying me. He pretended to be my friend and made me do things I didn't want to do. In junior high, I got beat up by him.
“Everyone thought he was cool, but I don't see how someone can be cool when you pick on someone and bully someone your entire life. Middle of October, I was being texted constantly everyday till I answered a Snapchat and IG message from Mitchell Miller. He asked me why I always have my parents doing stuff for me and why can't I speak for myself. I told him I don't care what my parents say I'm old enough to speak for myself. He told me he was sorry and [that the apology] didn't involve hockey. He told me he was doing stuff in the community and helping the youth and wanted to be my friend.
“I told him, "That's all cool but where is the proof though?" He didn't give me any [proof]. All the lies I have been told from him for so many years I don't believe what Mitchell told me. He kept asking me to be his friend and that he has changed over the years from what he did. I told him, "I'm not just gonna be your friend after all you did to me." I am now getting messages on social media from people, calling me 'a slow, retarded assclown' and 'you stupid N------,” saying that 'l need help'. Mitchell isn't my friend. It hurts my heart what he did to me. So I just wanted to tell everyone—when Mitchell says we're friends it isn't true. I can't take more of this.”
Incredibly heart-breaking read but a necessary one. Our actions or lack thereof, have real-life consequences. A statement from Isaiah Meyer-Crothers in his own words sent to Akim Aliu, HDA Chair, on November 8, 2022 which he asked the HDA to release publicly on his behalf. pic.twitter.com/dctpDdrXaL
— Hockey Diversity Alliance (@TheOfficialHDA) November 9, 2022
Meyer-Crothers’ sobering statement stands as just the latest damning indictment on the Bruins — who should have snuffed out this foolish decision to sign Miller months ago by simply reaching out to Meyer-Crothers and his family before opting to take Miller and his camp at their word that he was ready to show atonement for his actions.
Wednesday’s statement stands as the first time that Meyer-Crothers has spoken publicly since Boston signed Miller on Friday — only to then cut ties with the player after close to 72 hours of relentless backlash from fans, media and even their own players.
This stands as the second release from the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) in as many days regarding Meyer-Crothers. The HDA (a group of current and former NHL players aiming to eradicate racism and intolerance from hockey) said on Tuesday that Miller’s agent, Eustace King, previously contacted them in order to gain their approval for the signing. The HDA said in their release that they “emphatically declined” and prompted King to “drop the matter” — before adding that they, like many others, were not consulted by the Bruins.
Both the HDA and Meyer-Crothers’ own statement push back against the assertions that King said during an interview with the Cam and Strick Podcast earlier this week — with Miller’s agent stating that both Miller and Meyer-Crothers had been in regular contact and they planned to “tell their story together” at some point.
Considering that King also released a statement on Sunday detailing Miller’s “volunteer” work in the community — which included court-ordered mandates from his 2016 conviction for bullying Meyer-Crothers, it sure feels like Miller’s agent (the individual paid to represent said athlete in a positive light and get a contract) doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on here.
When asked on Monday about whether he felt that there was misrepresentation from both Miller and King in the events leading up to the signing, Cam Neely said, “Really can't get into that right now, unfortunately."
As for the Bruins, things are far from settled — whether it be potential discipline for the front-office personnel responsible for the signing, or trying to navigate the tricky fiscal hurdles that come with cutting ties with Miller’s contract.
