NHL

Columbus sports radio host rips ‘upper management’ over beer ad after Johnny Gaudreau’s death

It took a radio host intervening on air for a Columbus radio station to react to some insensitive ad placement on Friday.

During Friday’s YouTube simulcast of 97.1 The Fan’s “Bishop and Friends,” co-host Marc “Chops” Finch furiously reacted to a bucket of Coors Light being placed in the shot after Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver the prior evening.

“Let’s do this right now, sorry — Coors Light is on display,” Finch said. “Somebody said that in the YouTube chat right now. Send the emails to upper management.

“The show before us — I respect [them] — they took that down. Management wanted it back up. Send it to them. Not me. I have to sit here next to it; I don’t want to today.”

The brothers’ death late Thursday night in their New Jersey hometown shocked the sports world. Johnny Gaudreau was 31. Matthew Gaudreau was 29.

The two were out biking when struck by 43-year-old Sean Higgins, who was suspected of being under the influence.

Higgins attempted to pass two other vehicles and hit both brothers from behind.

 97.1 The Fan's "Bishop and Friends," co-host Marc "Chops" Finch was furious over the placement of Coors Light his show after the death of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother.
97.1 The Fan’s “Bishop and Friends,” co-host Marc “Chops” Finch was furious over the placement of Coors Light his show after the death of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother. Awful Announcing/X

Higgins was charged with two counts of death by auto and jailed at the Salem County Correctional Facility.

The Gaudreaus were at home for their sister Katie’s wedding, where they were set to be groomsmen.

Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s wife, posted to Instagram on Saturday morning with a tribute to her late husband.

Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets takes a break during a stoppage in play against the Colorado Avalanche at Nationwide Arena on April 01, 2024.
Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets takes a break during a stoppage in play against the Colorado Avalanche at Nationwide Arena on April 01, 2024. Getty Images

“Thank you for the best years of my life,” she wrote. “Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so much.

“You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”