April 27, 2012

Washington Capitals winger Joel Ward is all smiles during a team practice in Arlington, Virginia, April 27, 2012. (REUTERS)

Joel Ward said Friday he wasn't letting a barrage of racist tweets bother him, saying it comes with the territory.

"It's a few people that made a couple of terrible comments. What can you do?" the Capitals winger told the Washington Post.

"I know what I signed up for. I'm a black guy playing a predominantly white sport. It just comes with the territory. I would be naive or foolish to believe or think that it doesn't exist. It's part of life."

The tweets came on the heels of Ward's series-winning goal Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins.

"It was just a few idiots who ruined what was a beautiful moment for somebody," teammate Jason Chimera said. "It's terrible for him to go through that. It made you sick to your stomach."