Philadelphia Flyers interim general manager Daniel Briere said he was “shocked” after seeing a viral video that showed his son, Carson, pushing an unoccupied wheelchair down a flight of stairs at a bar over the weekend.
On Tuesday, a video posted to Twitter showed Carson Briere and two others talking at the top of a bar’s staircase next to an empty wheelchair. The younger Briere, who is a forward on the Mercyhurst hockey team, initially sat in the wheelchair before he stood up and pushed it down a flight of stairs.
“I was shocked to see Carson’s actions in the video that was shared on social media yesterday,” the elder Briere said Wednesday in a statement. “They are inexcusable and run completely counter to our family’s values on treating people with respect. Carson is very sorry and accepts full responsibility for his behavior.”
Carson Briere, 23, also released a statement.
“I am deeply sorry for my behavior on Saturday,” he said. “There is no excuse for my actions, and I will do whatever I can to make up for this serious lack of judgment.”
Mercyhurst released a statement after the video went viral.
“Late this afternoon, Mercyhurst University became aware of a disturbing video in which one of our student-athletes is seen pushing an unoccupied wheelchair down a flight of stairs at a local establishment,” it said. “Our Office of Student Conduct and Department of Police and Safety are investigating.”
Carson Briere had been dismissed from the Arizona State hockey team in 2019 for violating undisclosed team rules, according to the Erie Times-News.
Daniel Briere, 45, was promoted to interim general manager on Friday after the Flyers fired GM Chuck Fletcher.
The elder Briere has been working in the Flyers’ front office since 2017, two years after he retired as an NHL player. He was named special assistant to the general manager last season.
Briere totaled 696 points (307 goals, 389 assists) in 973 career games with the then-Phoenix Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Flyers, Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. He played with the Flyers from 2007-13.
–Field Level Media