Quashing controversy

Found online: Instead of publicly throwing his support behind Smith and squashing any controversy after the Bears game -- something he had done at every opening since being hired before the 2011 season — he fanned the flames by saying he likely would go with the hot hand.

I think I wrote about squash and quash not long ago. You don't squash controversy; you quash it.

You squash melons; ask Gallagher.

Here's an edit of that sentence:

Instead of publicly supporting Smith and quashing any controversy after the Bears game — something he had done consistently since being hired before the 2011 — he fanned the flames by saying he likely would go with the hot hand.

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