Raffi Torres Jay-Z Blackface Photo: 2011 Halloween Costume

Raffi Torres Dressed as Jay-Z For a 2011 Halloween Party, Blackface and All. Here is the Raffi Torres Jay-Z Photo

NHL player Raffi Torres has received criticism (online, at least) for the 2011 Halloween costume. The Phoenix Coyotes forward attended a Halloween party dressed as rapper Jay-Z, blackface and all. Torres was with his wife, who came as Jay-Z's wife Beyonce.

Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette tweeted a Raffi Torres blackface photo and people have been talking about it ever since. Bissonnette has tried to defend his teammate.

"As far as everyone trying to call "Racism" because Raffi dressed up like Jay-Z can simmer down. He's a huge Jay-Z fan."

"For someone to dress up as one of the most successful couple's of our generation on Halloween isn't racism."

This isn't the first time something like this has happened. In 2009, Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Whitney Isleib was criticized for dressing as rapper Lil Wayne for Halloween.

Of course, dressing up in blackface is a long-standing cultural minefield.

Ohio University recently launched an awareness campaign about culturally-insensitive Halloween costumes.

For our money, fellow NHLers Jonathan Toews and Adam Burish came up with a much more creative Halloween costume when they attended a Chicago Blackhawks game dressed as Dumb and Dumber.

Here is the Raffi Torres Jay-Z Halloween photo

Photos

Raffi Torres Jay-Z Photo 2011: Dressed in Blackface for Halloween

see larger image

uploaded by NowPublic Staff