Braves fans perform ‘chop’ cheer in defiance of ‘crybaby’ pitcher calling tomahawks ‘disrespectful’

Some Atlanta Braves fans were not happy with the injection of political correctness that Cardinals rookie Ryan Helsley, a member of the Cherokee Nation and grandson of a full-blooded Cherokee, brought to the team this week.

The athlete previously said he found Atlanta’s famous “tomahawk chop” cheer, which was often done with foam tomahawks handed out to fans at games, to be “disrespectful” and “disappointing.”

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

“We’re sensitive to it,” a spokesperson for the Braves said in response to Helsley’s comments. Wednesday’s game-five of a National League Division Series did not include the foam tomahawk handouts, and the sound used to encourage fans to make the chopping cheer was reportedly reduced.

Braves fans responded by doing the  “chop” cheer even without the tomahawks in protest of the Cardinals player.

“That did not stop fans from doing the chant on their own — as they did with erratic success in the early innings — and three times in the early innings the Braves played the drumbeat in the stadium to invite the chop,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Fans also took to social media to blast the “crybaby” pitcher.

“F***ing grow up and stop being a crybaby!!” one Twitter user wrote to Helsley on the social media platform.

“I’m trying to use my voice to get awareness out there and try to help people in that way, to help people see another side, help people see our side,” the pitcher recently told the press. “The fans are supporting their team, and I understand that. The mascot thing is what gets most people. I know people will see it the way they want to see it. I want to share my view. I respect the Braves for doing what they did.”

“Out of respect for the concerns expressed by Mr. Helsley, we will take several efforts to reduce the Tomahawk Chop during our in-ballpark presentation,” Atlanta’s vice president of communications Beth Marshall said in a statement responding to the concerns. “Among other things, these steps include not distributing foam tomahawks to each seat and not playing the accompanying music or using Chop-related graphics when Mr. Helsley is in the game. As stated earlier, we will continue to evaluate how we activate elements of our brand, as well as the overall in-game experience. We look forward to a continued dialogue with those in the Native American community after the postseason concludes.”

Check out more responses to the changes below. Some fans even blamed the lack of foam tomahawks on the Braves losing Wednesday’s game:

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