Bob Probert passes away at 45

[MacK_Attack 108]

Inevitable, sadly.

[Echolalia 2,961]

This is such terrible news.

[34Legace34 0]

This was my first ever Wings jersey. I was able to meet him at a golf tournament a few years back, and he signed it along with some other pictures.

The ovation that he got at Yzerman's retirement night is proof of how much Wings' fans loved this guy. You will be missed Probie.

[wingfanatic4alltime 32]

RIP Probie God bless his loved ones through this difficult time

[Dominator2005 558]

Terrible news - very sad...

RIP Probert!!!

Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch also issued a statement.

"Bob was a part of our very first NHL draft class that also included Steve Yzerman, Joe Kocur, Petr Klima and Stu Grimson. Bob was always there for his teammates and was one of the toughest men to ever play in the NHL. He also was one of the kindest, most colourful, and beloved players Detroit has ever known. We are very saddened by his passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob's family."

Edited July 6, 2010 by Dominator2005

[WingsNick5 0]

RIP Probie!

Prayers to his family and friends.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

It still really hasn't sunk in yet.

[alienanxiety 23]

Will the Wings wear a "BP" ( meaning Bob Probert ) sticker on the helmets? would be nice to see.

What a horrible thing to have happen.

I'd suggest they go with the number 24 on the helmets. "BP" aren't exactly the most beloved initials right now.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I'd suggest they go with the number 24 on the helmets. "BP" aren't exactly the most beloved initials right now.

I approve.

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100705/COL01/100705037/1318/Bob-Proberts-tough-story-ended-far-too-soon

What is a man? Is he the worst he’s ever done? If so, Bob Probert will be remembered for a night he dropped his pants at the Canadian border and a packet of cocaine fell out. He’ll be remembered for handcuffs, for jail, for alcoholism, for wrapping a Monte Carlo around a utility pole, for crashing a motorcycle with his bloodstream laced with substances, and for year after year single-handedly exhausting the patience of the Red Wings’ front office.

What is a man? Is he the best he’s ever done? If so, Bob Probert will be remembered for a good heart, a gentle soul, a giant’s body that on skates could do that rarest of combinations, speed, score and wallop. He’ll be remembered for the countless attempts he made at cleaning up instead of giving up, his loyalty to his teammates, his love for his kids, and his sincere desire, each time he said it, to get his life together and live out his days in peace.

What is a man? Bob Probert, the son of a Windsor cop, was the most maddening athlete I have ever covered. Charming. Irresponsible. Repentant. Hard-headed.

Lay down your arms, No. 24.

A character from a video game

“I’ve always thought, ‘I’m Bob. I’m big guy Bob. I don’t need anyone’s help,' " he once told me. It was the kind of bitter honesty that made you want to give him another chance.

And he got a lot of them.

Young kids won’t understand our fascination with Probert. They don’t make his kind anymore. They don’t encourage it and they don’t tolerate it. But there is a reason you still see people wearing his jersey at Joe Louis Arena, more than 15 years since he last played for Detroit.

Coming up in the 1980s, Bob Probert was the sort of warrior they now model video game characters after. Relentless. Brutal. Single-minded. Unafraid of blood. He was an enforcer, a goon, a guy whose main purpose was to make sure nobody messed with his team’s stars. Someone touched Steve Yzerman? Bob Probert touched back hard. Someone ran the goalie? Probert ran him harder.

His fights are legendary, and are no doubt being downloaded at a record clip this morning, after news of his sudden death today while boating with his family on Lake St. Clair.

But Probert’s battles on the ice were small to the ones he fought within. I remember choking up when he told me about his childhood, the early death of his father, the way his teenaged hockey pals encouraged him to drink, drink, drink until he was wrapped around a streetlight or vomiting in the street. As the big guy, the tough guy, in some ways, he never stood a chance. He was entwined with alcohol before he ever became an NHL player.

Once he had money, the parties were endless. Cocaine entered the picture, and with an addict’s personality, that was disaster for Probert. His border arrest was just the start of his high-profile troubles. This was a guy who, at times, couldn’t play away games because he wasn’t allowed out of the country, a guy who had to live within walking distance of the Joe because he wasn’t allowed to drive. I once did an interview at his place, and at the end he asked whether I could give him a lift to the rink.

His time in Detroit ended badly

“You see him even when he’s just gotten in trouble,” Jacques Demers once lamented, “and he has that look that says, ‘I’m sorry. Help me.' "

You wanted to help. You wanted Probert to shake his demons. He had that ruddy face, that goofy grin, that tousled hair, the look of a man who could be so happy when he was happy. And he had such skill. So Demers, the coach, stuck out his neck, and Jimmy Devellano, the general manager, stuck out his neck, and Mike Ilitch, the owner, stuck out his neck, and in the end, they all got burned. Probert walked away after a motorcycle crash, signed a free-agent deal with Chicago and made millions more before retiring, finally, in 2002.

By that point, he was a memory here, part of the Bruise Brothers days, a guy who averaged more than 3.5 penalty minutes a game. Ironically, he checked out before the Wings began winning Stanley Cups and he never did get a ring. He had several incidents with the law and alcohol in 2004 and 2005. Most of us don’t know what the last few years have held.

He was 45 when he collapsed this afternoon. News spread quickly around here — “Bob Probert died?” — and we were stunned because he seemed so indestructible.

But no one is indestructible. Who knows what finally took him, but it took him too soon. Even to the end, you wanted Probert to make it. He should not be remembered by the worst he did, and he cannot be whitewashed by the best. But whether an opponent, an image, an addiction or a past, Bob Probert was always fighting something. He can lay down his arms now. And finally be at peace.

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

Bob Probert is so beloved because Bob Probert was worth the price of admission all by himself.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Great article up there.

[puckloo39 5,686]

I usually can't stand Mitch Albom, but that article is poetry... and a lovely honest tribute.

What is a man? Is he the best he’s ever done? If so, Bob Probert will be remembered for a good heart, a gentle soul, a giant’s body that on skates could do that rarest of combinations, speed, score and wallop. He’ll be remembered for the countless attempts he made at cleaning up instead of giving up, his loyalty to his teammates, his love for his kids, and his sincere desire, each time he said it, to get his life together and live out his days in peace.

What is a man? Bob Probert, the son of a Windsor cop, was the most maddening athlete I have ever covered. Charming. Irresponsible. Repentant. Hard-headed.

Lay down your arms, No. 24.

this made me cry. He will be missed, so much. I think the 24 tribute is a great idea (Cheli would approve).

edit: I forgot, but he's right - Probie has no ring. That is a shame...

Edited July 6, 2010 by puckloo39

[uk_redwing 495]

Still shocked. Its far too young for someone who did so much for Detroit and the NHL to leave us.

[8 Legged RedWing 367]

RIP Probie... the greatest enforcer to ever play the game.

and RIP Roger. An old friend and soccer teammate who died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 20 on Friday.

A sad 4th of July weekend it turned out to be. My prayers go out to the family members.

[Ram 240]

Probie, you may forever have been the best at what you did. Rest in peace, Bob. You will be missed.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

They likely wouldn't retire 24, especially since Chelios wore it so long. But I bet nobody wears #24 in Detroit for a while.

[shaunlang 3]

If anyone makes up some tshirts email me i want some shaunlang@hotmail.com

[miller76 463]

Kind of ironic that article talking about Jacque Demers. He was hospitalized today as well. He is recovering from surgery.

A report says the former hockey coach has been bed-ridden for about a week with a stomach ailment.

Not a good hockey day!

[Big_Mike 1]

Wow. There will never be another one like him. RIP Probie. :angel:

[zata40 3]

i don't know that to say, this is so sad. He was still young.

[dragonballgtz 273]

unfortunately, being the pricks that they are, the Hawks will probably beat us to it, like he was theirs and theirs only...

I swear to God, if they do something with the #24, I will personally burn the United Center down!!! (not really, but I will be pissed!)

Why? If both teams do it even better, Probert deserves the honor of being remembered

[Red Storm 38]

Just got home and the news Big Bob gone hit me like a ton of bricks - the heart is heavy tonight . RIP. big man they'll never be another one like you.

[Chelichic 12]

Rest In Peace Bob Probert. My heart goes out to his family during this time of great loss.

[IceMunkee 15]

Rest in peace Probie. Thank you for all the good times.