Former professional athlete slammed for fat-shaming Lizzo with on-air joke

Ex-professional hockey player PK Subban has fat-shamed Lizzo live on-air.

During a segment on ESPN, the former NHL star made a tasteless joke about the singer’s weight while commenting on the size of her lunch.

As commentators were analysing the results of Game 1 of the Panthers vs Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Playoff series, co-host John Buccigross said Toronto should 'pack a lunch' after losing 4-2.

Subban fired back: “Maybe they need to pack a Lizzo-sized lunch.”

But rest assured, Lizzo fans came to the Grammy Award-winning singer’s defence, as one person remarked: “Damn it @PKSubban1 I thought you were better than this.”

Another said: “PK Subban fat-shamed Lizzo. Typical Subban clown move. He's just horrible on ESPN.”

While sports journalist Stefan Rosner wrote: “My dad on Subban's Lizzo comment last night. ‘Subban took cheap shots all through his hockey career. Why did anyone think he'd stop after he retired?’”

UNILAD has reached out to ESPN for comment.

However, this isn’t the first time a fat-shaming troll has come after the ‘Truth Hurts’ singer.

While the musician has always been praised for her confidence and body-positive message, Lizzo broke down on Instagram Live in 2021 after receiving a slew of hate after releasing her music video for ‘Rumors’ alongside Cardi B.

She said: "Sometimes I just feel like the world don't love me back.

"[Despite] the positive energy you put into the world, you're still going to have people who have something mean to say about you.

"And for the most part it doesn't hurt my feelings, I don't care.”

She continued: “I just think when I'm working this hard, my tolerance gets lower, my patience is lower. I'm more sensitive, and it gets to me."

Shortly after the emotional confession, Cardi B clapped back at her critics.

“When you stand up for yourself they claim you're problematic & sensitive. When you don’t they tear you apart until you crying like this. Whether you skinny, big, plastic, they going to always try to put their insecurities on you.Remember these are nerds looking at the popular table,” she wrote.

In a following tweet, she added: "'Rumors' is doing great. Stop trying to say the song is flopping to dismiss a woman emotions on bullying or acting like they need sympathy.

"The song is top 10 on all platforms. Body shaming and callin her mammy is mean & racist as f**k."