'Miracle on Ice' legend Mike Eruzione slams skier Hunter Hess for trashing America at Olympics

Mike Eruzione, the legendary Olympic athlete who captained the US men’s hockey team during its historic 1980 victory over the Soviet Union, criticized US skier Hunter Hess after Hess publicly expressed discomfort about representing the United States at the Winter Olympics.

Hess said he had “mixed emotions” about competing for the US following the Trump administration’s enforcement of immigration laws and recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the US right now," Hess said, referencing ongoing ICE operations.

"For me, it's more I'm representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented before me, all the things that I believe are good about the US," he added. "I think if it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US."

Eruzione responded to Hess’s remarks in a post on X, writing, “Hunter Hess US snowboarder saying he doesn’t represent his country but his family and friends. Then don’t put on the USA uniform maybe just put for family and friends.”

“Some athletes just don’t get it,” he added.

The comments drew praise from many conservatives, who argue that the Olympics should be a venue for athletes to support their country on the world stage through competition rather than make political statements. However, Eruzione later deleted the post.

Ric Grenell, head of the Kennedy Center under the Trump administration, also responded to Hess’ comments, writing on X, "Privileged Gen Z from Oregon hasn’t traveled much. He’s representing the greatest country in the world….move to Canada if you aren’t proud to wear USA."