slapshot™
4-21-05, 2:49 PM
What little respect I had left for Fleury went out the window when I read his comments in the Edmonton Sun this morning....(bold emphasis is mine)
Theo Fleury has never been one to pull punches, so in his Allan Cup news conference yesterday the scrappy little centre didn't just touch on the hot-button issues, he pounded them with both fists. From racism, alcoholism and jealousy to under-the-table salaries, the NHL and wanting to give back his Olympic gold medal, Fleury opened up with both barrels.
"We're probably the most hated team in senior hockey, but that's OK, we like that,'' he said before the Horse Lake Thunder were booed lustily in their tournament debut, a 9-2 win over the Lloydminster Border Kings. "You think the Oilers were loved in the '80s? Not a chance. People don't like winners. They carry themselves a different way, they act a different way, people envy that ... and they don't always like that.''
But Fleury believes much of the hostility his team faced this year ran much deeper than just competitive jealousy - he says he witnessed an ugly side of Canada he'd just as soon forget, but can't.
"The one thing that's really bothered me through this whole thing is the prejudice, still, in this country when it comes to native people. I've seen it first-hand in every building we go into, how these people are treated, and it's absolutely embarrassing to be a Canadian and know that stuff is still going on.
"I almost called Bob Nicholson and gave him back my gold medal from the Olympics. That's how much this affected me and meant to me. Those are the same people who were cheering for Canada and cheering me on, and at the same time stabbing the people who I have bloodlines with, who are my brothers, so to speak, in the back. That's something that hasn't been a good experience to be around.''
Edmonton Sun article (http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/Sports/2005/04/21/1006400-sun.html)
Having lived in Peace River for 8 years I have first hand experience to what he is referring to and I think he is talking out of his ass. The Thunder are part of the NPHL (North Peace Hockey League) and the Augers or Cardinals or any of the other natives don't get treated any different by the fans or players than the white players.
Fleury is an idiot to even suggest or think about returning his gold medal. I'll take the high road and not mention in detail the stories I've heard of him and his drunken antics in Calgary.
Theo Fleury has never been one to pull punches, so in his Allan Cup news conference yesterday the scrappy little centre didn't just touch on the hot-button issues, he pounded them with both fists. From racism, alcoholism and jealousy to under-the-table salaries, the NHL and wanting to give back his Olympic gold medal, Fleury opened up with both barrels.
"We're probably the most hated team in senior hockey, but that's OK, we like that,'' he said before the Horse Lake Thunder were booed lustily in their tournament debut, a 9-2 win over the Lloydminster Border Kings. "You think the Oilers were loved in the '80s? Not a chance. People don't like winners. They carry themselves a different way, they act a different way, people envy that ... and they don't always like that.''
But Fleury believes much of the hostility his team faced this year ran much deeper than just competitive jealousy - he says he witnessed an ugly side of Canada he'd just as soon forget, but can't.
"The one thing that's really bothered me through this whole thing is the prejudice, still, in this country when it comes to native people. I've seen it first-hand in every building we go into, how these people are treated, and it's absolutely embarrassing to be a Canadian and know that stuff is still going on.
"I almost called Bob Nicholson and gave him back my gold medal from the Olympics. That's how much this affected me and meant to me. Those are the same people who were cheering for Canada and cheering me on, and at the same time stabbing the people who I have bloodlines with, who are my brothers, so to speak, in the back. That's something that hasn't been a good experience to be around.''
Edmonton Sun article (http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/Sports/2005/04/21/1006400-sun.html)
Having lived in Peace River for 8 years I have first hand experience to what he is referring to and I think he is talking out of his ass. The Thunder are part of the NPHL (North Peace Hockey League) and the Augers or Cardinals or any of the other natives don't get treated any different by the fans or players than the white players.
Fleury is an idiot to even suggest or think about returning his gold medal. I'll take the high road and not mention in detail the stories I've heard of him and his drunken antics in Calgary.