04/25/24
April 08, 2003
Give it a rest Theo: Yup, you guessed it. Theo's back for another ride on the professional athlete roller-coaster. Maybe. As a Wheat King, I wish he'd just stop. What's the G'n'R tune, "i used to love her, but I had to kill her, I had to put her, six feet under." Any chance we can get Axl to do a Elton John're-working' of the lyrics to be played in every arena he visits? Well, it was worth a shot. Theo, Theo, Go Home!
I'm in the same boat, Bern ... even though he plays for the hated 'Hawks, I'd still like to see the guy pull through. I guess the question is whether or not perpetually rebuilding Chicago can afford to have roster space eaten up by a guy who doesn't have a whole lot left in the tank when they could be developing another young player.
posted by wfrazerjr at 06:07 PM on April 08, 2003
Don't get me wrong, I loved the guy at one point. Who couldn't? A pint-sized dynamo racking up points. But it seems that his personal life has distracted him to the point of not remembering what got him here-playing hockey, and playing well. I had hope before his last few strikes(ragners rehab, getting pikced up by the hawks), but after failing in that 'over-protected' environment, it just seems futile at this point. Hey, maybe a little optimism is in order, but Theo has lost my trust.
posted by garfield at 08:39 AM on April 09, 2003
I'm with you Garfield. Theo used to be my idol. Now I'm not sure I'd even bother getting an autograph from him. I've been led into ill-advised optomism about Fleury's career too many times. Now I wish he would just quietly retire from the spotlight, work out his personal issues, and enjoy the rest of his life. Best of luck, Theo, but get out of hockey already.
posted by Samsonov14 at 11:41 AM on April 09, 2003
They just announced on the CBC pre-game show that Theo has gone into a "Stage 3 of the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program" and has been suspended without pay for 6 months. story from tsn.ca That's it. He's done for sure. If his contract had any loopholes to get the Blackhawks out of it, they'll exercise them right now. If not, it's probably best for all parties involved to let him earn the last bit of his money (after the suspension) off the ice. It's a shame that a wonderful player like Fleury has to end his career in such a sad way. He was a fantastic story of "never give up" and beating the odds (as a small man in a big man's game). I'm glad he has a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal to remember during his life. I hope the next thing we hear is how he's adjusting to life outside of hockey and is getting on well with his life.
posted by grum@work at 06:11 PM on April 11, 2003
Theo is my 2nd former favorite player to go sour (Canseco being the other), but I'm still sort of rooting for him. I was expecting that link to be about some new controversy, but he seems genuinely interested in improving himself and becoming a star again. If he can stay sober and out of trouble and pull it off, I'm all for another few years of him...