When did loyalty become a bad thing?
Hey, what's up with everyone in the yard? I thought I'd stop in today to talk some hockey. Growing up in Canada, hockey was as much a part of my life as lacrosse was, and even though lacrosse fills up most of my time now days, I still find some time to be a hockey enthusiast……make that a Montreal Canadiens enthusiast!!!! As many of you may know today was the NHL trade deadline. Since I am home in Waterloo, Ontario hockey rules on the t.v. and today was filled with full day "trade deadline" coverage across the board. Of course, living in the Maple Leafs viewing area, I was again overdosed with Leaf coverage. I grew up like most other Habs fans……I cheer for the Habs and whoever is playing the Leafs. But, today I have had a bit of an epiphany as I found myself absolutely enthralled with Mats Sundin's decision to stay and play with Leaf's. Deciding to hold up his no trade clause. In today's professional sporting world it is harder and harder to be fans of teams as well as fans of players. Each year you here players leaving for one reason or another, and the turnaround in professional sports today is tough to keep up with. I consider myself a sports enthusiast, but even I have to admit that it usually takes me until a month into each season to be fully aware of all the off season moves. I grew up at the end of the sporting era where players felt a connection to their team. Players loved their team, not only for the esthetics of it, but because it actually seemed that they rewarded their team with loyalty for giving them the opportunity to play with them. Now, I may be old school, but I sure enjoyed sports better when I knew the players playing for my favorite teams loved playing there as much as I loved watching them play there. For this reason, I want to write and commend Mats publicly for standing his ground. This guy has been a pillar for an organization that has seen players come and go for the past 12 years. He has been the team's best player, hardest worker and fearless leader for as long as he's been there. He loves playing for the Leafs and would rather lose with them, then win with someone else as a "loaned" player. In today's sports we hear all too often; "He deserves a chance to win". It seems to me that Matt's looks at it differently. His mentality seems to be "I want to help the Leafs win. That is my job, that is why I get paid what I do to be here." Yet, today when the smoke clears in Toronto there will be thwarts of fans asking "why wouldn't he waive his clause to help the team out?" This is where I get confused. You have a player that loves being in the city, loves playing for the team, leads the team consistently in points every year, rarely gets injured, wins face-offs, works hard, back checks and never complains and you want him gone because of the business end of things…………..That makes no sense to me whatsoever. Now I understand the dollars and cents of professional sports, but since when did the fans begin rooting for that over loyalty? In today's sporting world, we are asked to be GM's not fans and some fans are actually buying into that? The notion that the fan would like to see Matt's gone to bail out Ferguson's mistakes (their former GM) seems out of this world. I for one would like to see the accountability come back into sports. Make the organization accountable for the mistakes made. Don't ask one of the few things that you have to be proud of to take on that accountability!!! I really do believe that if every team and every city had players like Mats, sports would suddenly become a lot more enjoyable to watch, I promise you that. For the day, be happy that you have a guy like Sundin, because guys like him are becoming non existent in sports today. Until next time, Colin #7
SeanmanXxX said February 27, 2008
Colin #7
SeanmanXxX said February 27, 2008
Lax111 said February 27, 2008
I happen to totally agree with you on this one.
I tend to wonder if the "loyalty" isn't to his team mates and not to the city necessarily. It shows me what kind of man he is that he has chosen to follow his heart rather than look to win a Cup.
What type of leader would abandon their team in time of need? I am sure he has been "pumping" these guys up in the room for years. He has loyalty to them, as their leader to practice what he preaches. If he waived the no trade clause he would be giving up - going against everything he has stood for and the mentality that has made him a great leader over the years.
It takes alot of guts to do what he did. He knows the fans/media and broadcasters are going to go after him for not waiving and he did it anyway. His heart and soul are with those guys in that room and how anyone can criticize him for not going is beyond me.
He is the type of man we all want our children to grow up to be and regardless of what everyone else says I respect him more for standing up for what he believes in and standing by his guys no matter what crap people are going to throw at him.
If we all had the courage and conviction in our daily lives this planet would be a better place!
Oh, by the way, the Rock management? Complete Boneheads.....I actually shouldn't even mention them in a post about loyalty, class and leadership!!!!
As for the other comment.....no comment on my end!!!
Thanks again,
Colin #7
Lax111 replied February 28, 2008
Just wanted you to know that people can "jump on the bandwagon" - be all positive, believe what's being dealt and follow who they need to follow, to make themselves happy with their situation but there are some people out there who can see through the fog.
I think I was born a rebel and a rebel with brains is a dangerous thing my friend!!!!
rbputitup said February 27, 2008
Colin #7
Lax111 said February 27, 2008
It has been my experience that the "high road" and staying true to your word is much harder and causes much more stress then "following the crowd" and taking the easy way out.
I have to tip my hat to people like that because I believe they are in the minority.
He sure deserves our tip of the hat, but lets be sure that he doesn't turn it on that much and propel them in to the playoffs!! See his game tonight....
Colin #7
Lax111 replied February 28, 2008
I saw the game last night and found myself rooting for them!!!
And those young guys from the Marlies???? Too funny - they're all skating their butts off - trying so hard....
I don't know, to me, without heart - sport is boring. That is why I like lacrosse. Guys do it because they love it. Not that there aren't bad games and lazy guys but all in all it's the heart of the sport that got me.
Want to know what really turned me on lacrosse?
Dewey said February 27, 2008
Colin #7
jinxxx said February 27, 2008
Lax111 replied February 28, 2008
I'm not sure Colin was doing the deciding when it came to leaving....
Do you think he'd pick the furthest team away from his home - if he had any input in the decision I am sure we would be watching him in a Knighthawk, Buffalo or NY jersey!!!
Glad to have both of you as NLL fans!!
Colin #7
MisterBoo said February 28, 2008
As a side note, this Benesch kid is pretty exciting to watch, but we really do miss you in Toronto! And congrats on making the All-Star team yet again!
Thanks as well for the all star congrats, much appreciated.
Colin #7
tokearoo said February 28, 2008
Great to have you on board in the yard.
Colin #7
JohnP32 said February 28, 2008
Speaking of sad, my fellow season ticket holders and I were discussing over a pint recently, how much we missed seeing you play. The creativity, fierceness, and clutch plays that we took for granted are greatly missed when we watch the Rock now. Perhaps one day we'll see SJ in TO.
Thanks Colin
Thanks for the note, and keep spreading the good word of the NLL.
One day, that is what I keep telling myself when it comes to getting back to play in Toronto with my SJ teamates.
Cheers,
Colin #7
Lax111 said February 29, 2008
I think once mine was the next day.......is that normal?
By the way - I am testing it right now just to see!!!!
You can't have an actual discussion that's for sure.
jinxxx said February 29, 2008
tokearoo said March 01, 2008