Did Don Cherry go too far this time?????

DaSleeper

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October 6, 2011, 10:51 pm


THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO -- Hockey personality Don Cherry called three former NHL tough guys "pukes" for speaking out against fighting Thursday on the season's first edition of CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada."

Speaking on his popular "Coach's Corner" segment, Cherry called out former enforcers Stu Grimson, Chris Nilan and Jim Thomson for suggesting that NHL players who fight are prone to substance abuse. The comments come after three former NHLers known for fighting died over the summer.





"The ones that I am really disgusted with ... are the bunch of pukes that fought before: Stu Grimson, Chris Nilan and Jim Thomson," an animated Cherry said.

"(They say) 'Oh, the reason that they're drinking, (taking) drugs and alcoholics is because they're fighting.' You turncoats, you hypocrites. If there's one thing I'm not it's a hypocrite. You guys were fighters, and now you don't want guys to make the same living you did."

More.....Cherry Rant
 

Cliffy

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Cut the dude some slack, eh! He probably didn't have time to change his Depends before he went on air and his bung hole was chafed.
 

shadowshiv

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I honestly don't have too much of a problem with what he said. Any of the former fighters that suddenly want fighting removed now that they have retired from the game are being hypocrites. Don Cherry isn't wrong by saying that.
 

CDNBear

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Sep 24, 2006
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Cut the dude some slack, eh! He probably didn't have time to change his Depends before he went on air and his bung hole was chafed.
That's funny considering your disingenuous requests for maturity and civility in other discussions.
 

Locutus

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Jun 18, 2007
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I'm sure some people didn't bother to watch the video and therefore don't know what he and MacLean were talking about.


This guy sums it up pretty well:



If you watch the video, you'll see that before he the infamous 'puke' comment, Cherry made a number of salient points and comments which included:

-saying that he believes those who "
took advantage" of the 3 so-called tough guys suicides and used them as an excuse to get up on their anti-fighting soap box should be "ashamed of yourselves" for doing something like that.

-pointed out that prior to this years deaths, since 1999 there had been 8 suicides of NHL or former NHL players, none of whom were fighters and he also said that during the years he himself played, there were 4 suicides, again no fighters.


Cherry then even sort of in his own endearing way, almost apologized in advance to "
the kids" who were watching for saying what he was about to say about the three named NHL former fighters, i.e., "the pukes." Cherry was actually incorporating the word puke that former-NHLer Georges Laraque had used when describing what it made him feel like doing when he heard people slamming fighting in hockey.

So while I may understand where Don Cherry is coming from and why he said what he said, I disagree with him for specifically naming the three ex-NHLers. I think it would have been sufficient for him to say his usual "you'se guys, and you know who you are" and be done with it.
 

CDNBear

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I'm sure some people didn't bother to watch the video and therefore don't know what he and MacLean were talking about.


This guy sums it up pretty well:



If you watch the video, you'll see that before he the infamous 'puke' comment, Cherry made a number of salient points and comments which included:

-saying that he believes those who "
took advantage" of the 3 so-called tough guys suicides and used them as an excuse to get up on their anti-fighting soap box should be "ashamed of yourselves" for doing something like that.

-pointed out that prior to this years deaths, since 1999 there had been 8 suicides of NHL or former NHL players, none of whom were fighters and he also said that during the years he himself played, there were 4 suicides, again no fighters.


Cherry then even sort of in his own endearing way, almost apologized in advance to "
the kids" who were watching for saying what he was about to say about the three named NHL former fighters, i.e., "the pukes." Cherry was actually incorporating the word puke that former-NHLer Georges Laraque had used when describing what it made him feel like doing when he heard people slamming fighting in hockey.

So while I may understand where Don Cherry is coming from and why he said what he said, I disagree with him for specifically naming the three ex-NHLers. I think it would have been sufficient for him to say his usual "you'se guys, and you know who you are" and be done with it.
Geeze, I wonder if that will prompt any retractions from some of the detractors in this thread?

Oh wait, they never actually commented on the story in the OP.
 

TenPenny

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I honestly don't have too much of a problem with what he said. Any of the former fighters that suddenly want fighting removed now that they have retired from the game are being hypocrites. Don Cherry isn't wrong by saying that.

Of course, it's entirely possible that they might have learned something about the physical and mental damage that it causes, but I understand your point: for anyone to change an opinion on something they personally have done makes them a hypocrite and a puke.

So that's good, we'll remember that - make sure you encourage your children to make every mistake in life that you did. Otherwise, well, you're a hypocrite and a puke, by your own definition.

Rock on, kids!
 

shadowshiv

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Of course, it's entirely possible that they might have learned something about the physical and mental damage that it causes, but I understand your point: for anyone to change an opinion on something they personally have done makes them a hypocrite and a puke.

So that's good, we'll remember that - make sure you encourage your children to make every mistake in life that you did. Otherwise, well, you're a hypocrite and a puke, by your own definition.

Rock on, kids!

It's not my definition. It's what the definition of hypocrite is in the dictionary.;)

So shall we ban boxing as well? There's fighting there, and there is a lot more damage being done to the fighters there. Also, most of the concussions in hockey are from hits from behind or elbows flying into the opposing player's heads. That is what needs to get removed from hockey, not fighting.
 

Nationhood

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Sep 30, 2011
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Any of the former fighters that suddenly want fighting removed now that they have retired from the game are being hypocrites.
Let me tell you about some of these so called hypocrites. Some of these retired 'hypocrites' have health and physical problems from all the headshots and fights they experienced on the rink. Some are suffering because they didn't know any better at the time, and they're trying to improve the culture of hockey by removing head shots so other players won't have to suffer the same fate as them, and they're hypocrites.
It's nasty to underplay the real ramifications of head shots and physical blows to the body, and it's even more nasty to call these people hypocrites and whiners. If not ignorant.

People can and do change their opinion in retrospect. Especially after circumstances change, and facts are presented. Like the real physical risks.

Of course, it's entirely possible that they might have learned something about the physical and mental damage that it causes, but I understand your point: for anyone to change an opinion on something they personally have done makes them a hypocrite and a puke
Exactly. That's why shadowshiv won't retract what he says when reason comes to prove him wrong, because if he changed his mind he would be a hypocrite.

Don Cherry isn't wrong by saying that.
Yes he is. If you don't want to be hard on good old Don, we can just say he's being thoughtless, reactionary and plain stupid on this.
I mean, he did later apologize for saying what he said. I'm not going to speculate on whether he was genuine or not, but he did say "He didn't want the kids to hear that".

That is what needs to get removed from hockey, not fighting.
Well, the biggest and most articulate advocates on reform to hockey are the ones advocating banning the head shot. Ken Dryden, for example. A former NHLer, and a former MP. It's good you agree with the mostly popular sentiment that headshots should be banned.

Wider debate and discussion about the health of hockey fights is warranted too, but I think head shots are a good start.
 

shadowshiv

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Let me tell you about some of these so called hypocrites. Some of these retired 'hypocrites' have health and physical problems from all the headshots and fights they experienced on the rink. Some are suffering because they didn't know any better at the time, and they're trying to improve the culture of hockey by removing head shots so other players won't have to suffer the same fate as them, and they're hypocrites.
It's nasty to underplay the real ramifications of head shots and physical blows to the body, and it's even more nasty to call these people hypocrites and whiners. If not ignorant.

People can and do change their opinion in retrospect. Especially after circumstances change, and facts are presented. Like the real physical risks.


Exactly. That's why shadowshiv won't retract what he says when reason comes to prove him wrong, because if he changed his mind he would be a hypocrite.


Yes he is. If you don't want to be hard on good old Don, we can just say he's being thoughtless, reactionary and plain stupid on this.
I mean, he did later apologize for saying what he said. I'm not going to speculate on whether he was genuine or not, but he did say "He didn't want the kids to hear that".


Well, the biggest and most articulate advocates on reform to hockey are the ones advocating banning the head shot. Ken Dryden, for example. A former NHLer, and a former MP. It's good you agree with the mostly popular sentiment that headshots should be banned.

Wider debate and discussion about the health of hockey fights is warranted too, but I think head shots are a good start.

Sure, you can say that I would be a hypocrite, but I am sticking with my opinion because that is what my opinion is in this particular case. And I have changed my mind about things, and if that makes me a hypocrite, well I'm fine with that as well. Everyone has been a hypocrite at one time or another during their life.:) People can disagree with me, and that is okay too.:)

And yes, he did apologize for the "pukes" remark, which is good. He could have gotten his point across without using that particular word. And your guess is as good as mine as to whether or not it was genuine. I think it was, but it's hard to tell with him(due to his intensity).
 

Goober

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Ron in Regina

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It's not my definition. It's what the definition of hypocrite is in the dictionary.;)

So shall we ban boxing as well? There's fighting there, and there is a lot more damage being done to the fighters there. Also, most of the concussions in hockey are from hits from behind or elbows flying into the opposing player's heads. That is what needs to get removed from hockey, not fighting.


The game of Hockey is suppose to be about Hockey, and fights do break out, and I
believe it does take away from the game. Certain markets that don't really "get" the
game expect the fights, and are the paying customers, etc...

The best game I remember watching (Team Canada vrs the L.A. Kings in an
exhibition game back long ago) didn't have a single fight, & was great Hockey.

As far as banning Boxing goes, the first time a Hockey game breaks out in a Boxing
match, I'll be the first one to sign the petition to try and remove Hockey from Boxing.

Oh yeah.....that game I mentioned above, took place in Regina. I kid you not.
I was young, & working at a Pats game, which got called part way through the
game to clear the ice for these guys. I had no idea that they where even there
until shortly before they hit the ice.

That was good Hockey. Team Canada 7, L.A. Kings 4. (Sept 27th, 1986)
 

Kakato

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I honestly don't have too much of a problem with what he said. Any of the former fighters that suddenly want fighting removed now that they have retired from the game are being hypocrites. Don Cherry isn't wrong by saying that.
After watching our hometown boy and best scrapper in the NHL commit suicide a couple months ago I would have to disagree with you.
I'm glad they are finally coming out and talking about it as it was well known Rick Rypien had some problems and he was nowhere close to retiring,some people did get an interview from him before his death and it will be out sometime in the future and it's all about why he took his leave of absence from the Canucks.
The one thing everyone learned in high school was you didnt mess with the Rypien boys.

RIP Rick.
Best of Rick Rypien - YouTube
 
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SLM

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If Don Cherry didn't go "too far" then he wouldn't be Don Cherry. He makes his points, and often he does make valid points too, in a loud mouth, boorish manner. Always has, always will. Folks either love him or they love to hate him, there is no middle of the road.

I personally tune out if too many fights break out during a game. When and if I'm watching a game, I want to see the puck in play not two guys throwing down their gloves and battling it out. I get that there has always been fighting in hockey and I wouldn't want to see it completely removed but sometimes it does feel like you're watching a fight and the occassional hockey game breaks out.

And with all the very serious talk about the very real dangers of repeat head injuries nowadays, I am hoping it tones down the level and amount of fighting.

But that's just my personal preference.
 

Kakato

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That's Canada,went to a fight and a hockey game broke out.

Mental illness is a very serious disease and a Canadian hockey icon shouldnt be adding to the social stigma out there right now about depression and other mental illness if he clearly has no clue.
People should be coming out and seeking help,not bottling up because some guy like Don Cherry tells them they are a coward or puke for speaking out,I just lost any respect I had for the man after reading the article.

Rick the ripper was a great guy,he helped out the kids here in town with a hockey school and was going to play for the Jets this season,his dad found him hanging from a rope a couple miles from my home a couple months ago.
 
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