Searching for Matt Johnson (TSN)

[P. Marlowe 748]

Quite a read this one...

 

http://longform.tsn.ca/searching-for-matt-johnson

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

It's sad. Sometimes we as fans tend to believe that these guys live wonderful lives, getting paid millions of dollars to play a sport they love at a level the rest of us can only dream of. What we so often overlook is the sometimes brutal honesty of life for some NHL players. So frequently forgotten is the physical, mental and emotional sacrifice that these guys make on behalf of their teams and us, the fans, in a sometimes gladiatorial occupation. Johnson's is only one such story, among many others, that remind us that playing this sport, in this league, isn't always a dream come true. No matter how famous, how wealthy, how idolized they become, these guys still suffer from the same life problems, the same traps, vices, and anxieties as the rest of us. And no matter how successful they might become on a 200' x 85' sheet of ice, they still deserve the same dignity, respect and sympathy as the rest of us. Just something to remember (myself included) when we are so often quick to ridicule them for their mistakes and meet their struggles with hostility or indifference.

Edited December 14, 2017 by Neomaxizoomdweebie

[Dabura 12,207]

On 12/13/2017 at 8:03 PM, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

It's sad. Sometimes we as fans tend to believe that these guys live wonderful lives, getting paid millions of dollars to play a sport they love at a level the rest of us can only dream of. What we so often overlook is the sometimes brutal honesty of life for some NHL players. So frequently forgotten is the physical, mental and emotional sacrifice that these guys make on behalf of their teams and us, the fans, in a sometimes gladiatorial occupation. Johnson's is only one such story, among many others, that remind us that playing this sport, in this league, isn't always a dream come true. No matter how famous, how wealthy, how idolized they become, these guys still suffer from the same life problems, the same traps, vices, and anxieties as the rest of us. And no matter how successful they might become on a 200' x 85' sheet of ice, they still deserve the same dignity, respect and sympathy as the rest of us. Just something to remember (myself included) when we are so often quick to ridicule them for their mistakes and meet their struggles with hostility or indifference.

Well said.

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

2 hours ago, Dabura said:

Well said.

Thanks. I was having an emo moment.

[brett 1,029]

i vaguely remember him only from his nickname moose..very sad

 

 

Edited December 17, 2017 by brett

[krsmith17 7,191]

1 hour ago, brett said:

i vaguely remember him only from his nickname moose..very sad

Mark Messier?

[LeftWinger 4,959]

On 12/15/2017 at 9:06 PM, Neomaxizoomdweebie said:

Thanks. I was having an emo moment.

Could also be said Judge no man unless you've walked in his shoes. 

[Neomaxizoomdweebie 3,083]

7 hours ago, krsmith17 said:

Mark Messier?

No, Daryl Johnston.

 

 

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Great article.  I never really liked Johnson that much because he ended Beukeboom's career with a total cheap shot.  He was a great fighter, though.  Not surprising that another tough guy was reliant on pain killers and drugs.  Their job was nuts.  

Edited December 18, 2017 by GMRwings1983