Bob Probert was a big star with the Blackhawks and an original Red Wing when I was a season ticket holder about 15 years ago, as he and other perennial enforcer man Al Secord before him were my favorite players, although 'Probie', as he was called, had a terrible drinking problems, which dogged him almost every season throughout his career.
He even had a DUI while here playing in Chicago, but so have millions of others, including me right around that very same time frame, strangely enough. Those were MY rugged years as well.
Sadly some of that 'hard living' seems to have caught up with him Monday driving him to a fatal heart attack at my freaking age, only 45 years, and we fans mourn his untimely loss here, especially having just seen the team win the Stanley Cup, as he was a 'lean year' member.
They really 'sucked' in those days, but not because of him.
Mostly because of 'Dollar Bill" Wirtz, the late owner who's son only took 2 years to win 'the cup'.
He even had a DUI while here playing in Chicago, but so have millions of others, including me right around that very same time frame, strangely enough. Those were MY rugged years as well.
Sadly some of that 'hard living' seems to have caught up with him Monday driving him to a fatal heart attack at my freaking age, only 45 years, and we fans mourn his untimely loss here, especially having just seen the team win the Stanley Cup, as he was a 'lean year' member.
They really 'sucked' in those days, but not because of him.
Mostly because of 'Dollar Bill" Wirtz, the late owner who's son only took 2 years to win 'the cup'.Anyhow, I and my friends were fortunate enough to have watched him work many a drunken night at the 'Madhouse on Madison' and later, The United Center, or 'the house that Jordan built.'...I pray for his family, and may he rest in peace. :(
DETROIT – Retired hockey enforcer Bob Probert, as adept with his fists as with a stick in a 16-season career with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, died Monday after suffering chest pains while boating with his family. He was 45.
"Bob lost the fight of his life this afternoon," said Probert's father-in-law, Dan Parkinson, a police officer who performed CPR before Probert was rushed to Ontario's Windsor Regional Medical Center.
Probert was on a boat in Lake St. Clair with his wife, children and in-laws when he "developed severe chest pains" Monday, family friend Rich Rogow told a Monday evening news conference at the medical center.
"This is a tragedy for the family," Parkinson said. "We ask that you respect their privacy at this time."
Probert, who struggled to overcome drinking problems during his time in the NHL, played for the Red Wings in 1985-1994 and for the Blackhawks in 1995-2002.
"Bob was a part of our very first NHL Draft class that also included Steve Yzerman, Joe Kocur, Petr Klima and Stu Grimson," Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch said in a statement. "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 colorful, and beloved players Detroit has ever known."
Blackhawks president John McDonough said the organziation's "thoughts and prayers are with the entire Probert family."
"Bob will always be a member of the Blackhawks family and his memory will live on through our fans," McDonough said in a statement.
Ex-Red Wings, Blackhawks tough guy Probert dies - Yahoo! News
Sad news and I am also at the same age. =-O
ReplyDeleteYa never know, and now they're coming out saying people who played football even in High School are having brain damage probs and the likes, and frankly I had a brain tumor when I was 21 that was somewhat inexplicable and played football 8 years before that time so I don't know. My little bro played 'pro' in Parma Italy and College at cornell but he's always been fine health wise... so there goes that theory.. ;)
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