11/21/24
December 02, 2008
NHL Suspends Sean Avery Over Crude Comment: Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery, whose ex-girlfriends include the actress Elisha Cuthbert and model Rachel Hunter, has been suspended indefinitely by the league for the last two words in this comment: "I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds." The AP report on the suspension considered the words too crude to repeat, describing it instead as a "crass term to refer to ex-girlfriends now dating other people."
Which should have been worded: Yep, he's still just a dick.
And now, everything loses its luster.
posted by BoKnows at 08:41 PM on December 02, 2008
Just suspend him for good.
If anyone else did this at his or her place of business, wouldn't they just be fired?
And yeah, yeah, I know what you're going to say -- "But the NHL is 30 employers, not just one, and it's the highest level of his profession!"
Tough shit. Say hello to the KHL, dickweed.
posted by wfrazerjr at 10:28 PM on December 02, 2008
Noone will ever call me an Avery fan, but I honestly don't see what all the stink is about. He's surely said and done things a lot worse than this, yet they suspend him for this? Sounds like a witch hunt to me...
posted by MeatSaber at 10:47 PM on December 02, 2008
What a cad.
posted by Hugh Janus at 10:55 PM on December 02, 2008
If anyone else did this at his or her place of business, wouldn't they just be fired?
I don't think so. To extend your analogy, Avery's one of the most talented employees at his company and has a contract that's inconvenient for his employer to get out of. There aren't many companies that would fire a person in that position over a single crude comment.
Personally, I think the NHL missed an opportunity by not ignoring the remark and letting Avery hit the ice against Calgary, where he undoubtedly would've had his bell rung. They shouldn't legislate personality out of the sport.
posted by rcade at 11:09 PM on December 02, 2008
And yeah, yeah, I know what you're going to say -- "But the NHL is 30 employers, not just one, and it's the highest level of his profession!"
From The National Post: "I completely support the league's decision to suspend Sean Avery," Tom Hicks (Dallas Stars owner) said. "Had the league not have suspended him, the Dallas Stars would have.
posted by tommybiden at 11:09 PM on December 02, 2008
Oh, and what an Asshat.
posted by tommybiden at 11:12 PM on December 02, 2008
Personally, I think the NHL missed an opportunity by not ignoring the remark and letting Avery hit the ice against Calgary, where he undoubtedly would've had his bell rung. They shouldn't legislate personality out of the sport.
Or, the league knew that by putting Avery on the ice, he was going to get run hard all game. Suspend a guy or have an all out brawl?
posted by BoKnows at 12:36 AM on December 03, 2008
Personally, I think the NHL missed an opportunity by not ignoring the remark and letting Avery hit the ice against Calgary, where he undoubtedly would've had his bell rung. They shouldn't legislate personality out of the sport.
Yeah, that's smart, compound the problem. Avery getting his clock cleaned and someone getting suspended for it sounds like the kind of positive reinforcement this guy doesn't need.
posted by dfleming at 07:03 AM on December 03, 2008
Yeah, that's smart, compound the problem.
What's the problem, exactly? He's not on drugs. He's not committing crimes. He's obnoxious. Though it was an untoward remark to say about his exes, it seems weird to me that the league is making such a big deal about it.
posted by rcade at 07:28 AM on December 03, 2008
I honestly don't see what all the stink is about
Sniff his hand.
posted by yerfatma at 08:14 AM on December 03, 2008
I'm with rcade. Except for the fact that the NHL had to be proactive and avoid the appearance of complicitly allowing players to intentionally injure one another. I think that the fear of being held liable is the motivating factor here. That, and the NHL is marketed to little kids who haven't even heard the term 'sloppy seconds' yet.
posted by garfield at 10:47 AM on December 03, 2008
Though it was an untoward remark to say about his exes, it seems weird to me that the league is making such a big deal about it.
If a player is acting in a way that looks bad on the league AND might have an effect on how other players will deal with him on the ice, they're in a position to curb the behavior. The NHL isn't stupid; they realize that retribution will come from something like this and needless violence isn't good for the league.
posted by dfleming at 11:36 AM on December 03, 2008
I would take those sloppy seconds. Elisha Cuthbert is smokin hot.
The remark doesn't sound as bad if you read it. If you hear the interview, IT sounds much worse. That being said Indefinite suspension is a bit much. The man is a douchbag, but entitled his opinion.
posted by Debo270 at 12:33 PM on December 03, 2008
C'mon guys, he didn't say anything worse than things you and I have said. He is better known is why people condone him. Good job Sean, keep expressing yourself.Freedom of speech is what I have been taught!!!
posted by Doehead at 03:56 PM on December 03, 2008
C'mon guys, he didn't say anything worse than things you and I have said. He is better known is why people condone him. Good job Sean, keep expressing yourself.Freedom of speech is what I have been taught!!!
Three things:
1)Don't pretend to speak for me, I know I have never used that sort of language about a former girlfriend, and 2) With freedom comes responsibility. If you act irresponsibly, expect to suffer the consequences. 3) I don't think anyone condones (to give tacit approval to) what Sean Avery did, perhaps you meant condemn (to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; indicate strong disapproval of; censure.).
posted by tommybiden at 05:41 PM on December 03, 2008
I see both sides here. The HNL is reacting as they basically have to, but it all fairness to logic it would be better if they let his team suspend him or release him.
I also think Avery's biggest crime here is not being funny enough. That's just not clever.
The suspension could potentially have saved his life, anyway. I mean, if you're Phaneuf and on one hand you have the assurance that Avery was just trying to stir it up and get attention - and by giving in and going after him you're really just enabling - and on the other hand you have Elisha Culthbert and the threat of having to sleep on the couch for an extended period (or permantly in the worst case scenario) during the prime, prime years.
Actually now that I write that out, it isn't a tough decision at all. Nope. Avery face - meet fist.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:38 PM on December 03, 2008
Gee folks meet Tommy Trump. He is an angel,or is he full of crap. I think it is the latter.
posted by Doehead at 07:31 PM on December 03, 2008
Y'know, I'm no angel either. I've said some crass things about people, including former girlfriends, but I'm sure as hell no Sean Avery. While I might make a nasty comment to a friend on the golf course or at the gym, I've never grabbed a microphone and broadcast my crude feelings into the public domain, either.
And if another member on this site says he doesn't behave that way, I'm willing to take him at his word. While I agree that the things Avery said are fairly common (even if the women they were said about aren't), that doesn't make them o.k. If TommyT has that kind of class, good on him. I've seen nothing on SpoFi that would call that claim into question.
Wonder what Avery will wind up with more of, ex-teams or ex-girlfriends. Not much staying power with either, is there?
posted by tahoemoj at 08:33 PM on December 03, 2008
He is an angel,or is he full of crap. I think it is the latter.
I'm no angel, and I'm not full of crap. Snappy observation though.
posted by tommybiden at 01:17 PM on December 04, 2008
All this because he said "sloppy seconds?" I really hope I'm missing something here because this seems blown WAY out of proportion (and yes I watched the video too).
Sure it's crude. But he didn't curse. He didn't threaten anyone. It's language you'd see on TV every night. If he wants to make an ass out of himself on TV, it's his business.
This makes the outrage over Janet Jackson's boob seem sane and rational.
Now if Janet had stuck her boob in Avery's mouth...that would call for an indefinite suspension....or maybe a contract with Vivid.
posted by cjets at 01:41 PM on December 04, 2008
I am quite surprised at the outrage this has caused. Don't get me wrong; it was a dick move, to be sure, by a guy who puts the "cock" in "cocksucker." His lack of respect for (at least a select few) women is appalling, and the deliberateness of the statements underscores his douchebagginess, but an indefinite league suspension? It seems a bit like using a 2 x 4 on a cockroach. Then again, with the F-Bomb popping up on network and cable morning news shows, perhaps I'm just desensitized to the power of the spoken word.
And, on another note, I hope all the friggin' HTML in this post works...I HATE NOT HAVING THE HTML BUTTONS, AND I HATE NOT HAVING THE MULTIPLE PREVIEW WINDOW!
Okay, I'm done.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 08:09 PM on December 04, 2008
Yep, he's still a just a dick. (Crass term to refer to an idiotic goon.)
Modano's reaction was probably something like "THANK YOU GOD!"