Boogaard’s Sad Death
First we find out that Harmon Killebrew is ending his fight to survive esophageal cancer, then we find out that 28-year-old NHL player Derek Boogaard was found dead last night in his Minneapolis apartment.
A few hours ago I posted this on Facebook:
Though we don’t know yet, what would surprise me least would be to learn that Boogard’s death was a suicide, and that a brain study later uncovers traumatic encephalopathy. He missed more than 50 games with the Rangers this year, partly because of concussion…
Looks like columnist Nick Coleman is having similar thoughts.
Coleman:
When Bob Probert, a notorious enforcer for the Red Wings who often had to be hospitalized for infections in his hands that resulted from tearing them open on the helmets of other players, died, he left his brain to science: It was a brain wrecked by fighting, and, if you have been paying attention, you’ll know that Probert’s Brain has begun a debate that is likely to finally end the role of the hockey enforcer.
In that decision, Derek Boogaard may turn out to contribute to hockey more in death than he did in life.
Coleman points to this video (see below), which turned out to be the last fight of Boogaard’s career as a “hockey enforcer.”
This video, as much as anything I have ever seen, encapsulates why I have never become a hockey fan. It’s like a street brawl masquerading as a sporting event. Even the casual commentary about who landed what blow just drives home the point for me. This game is not for me.
Again, no one knows what happened to Boogaard. Could be an accident, could be natural causes, there are no answers yet. But who would be shocked to find to that this kid is another example of a brain turned to mush through violent sport?
Late addition, Sunday May 15 2011. It looks like the Boogaard family might itself be wondering whether his death has something to do with traumatic brain injury. From ESPN.com:
The Minneapolis StarTribune reported on its website Saturday night that Boogaard’s family has agreed to donate his brain to Boston University researchers who are studying brain disease in athletes.
No one knows what happened to Boogaard. You say it almost as an afterthought, but it is too soon. Nobody would say with certainty that they know what has happened and yet there is still a frenzied rush in the blogosphere to be the first to presume, assume, place blame, and publish. Such early speculation is both premature and pointless — certainly irresponsible — no matter how well-crafted and well-intentioned the author believes themselves/their prose to be. Unfortunately this is just another example of “journalists” making up their minds and
filing their stories and columnspublishing their blog posts before having all of the facts…before having ANY of the facts. And for what? What prize is won for being first? I guess there is a belief that there will be a “winner,” the most eyeballs will be scored, granting the best chance to attempt to shape whatever “debate” ensues – whether it’s warranted or not. This is sadness compounding sadness. A man is dead; isn’t that sadness enough?Sorry you feel that way. Thanks for reading the column and commenting on it.
And he is sorry you feel that way……….you would back Tom spicowski’s ‘Jump to conclusions mat’ wouldn’t ya, Kevina ?……..stop writing about sports…..you dont get them…
I generally limit myself to accepting career advice from people who have mastered the rules of grammar, Scott. But thanks for writing in.