I agree that this is the day of the grossly overpaid athlete, coach, G.M., and all other professional athletic positions.
Outside of people in my family, my only other idol is Terry Fox.
I don't idolize pro athletes at all. I believe they are people just like us. Breathing the same air, and putting their pants on leg by leg. I do respect what they do. However, most of it is God-given ability to start. Yes, all those clichés about hard work and practise are true, but without being given the tools at birth, they would not be pro athletes. There are many 20-year-old Juvenile house league hockey players out there, who work far harder than any pro athlete. But they will never play for the Leafs.
But. These athletes are human beings. AND SO ARE THE COACHES.
What happened to Ron Wilson the other night at Air Canada Centre was disgusting. Can you imagine being in his shoes, with thousands of people shouting your name to be fired? Do you really think that he deserved that? Even if you don't think he was a good coach, is he really to blame for all the team's woes? Do the players not have to take some responsibility? I love listening to a sports talk show host named Bob McCowan. For years he has said about how overrated coaching is at the pro level. I couldn't agree more.
Fact is, whatever your thoughts on pro athletes and coaches are, please remember that they are human beings. They have families, and are just like you and I. They get paid tons of money, but in the end, they do deserve the respect that regular people do get.
At least you're out of this noose, Ron. I will apologize for all the morons out there who thought we should have traded a third and fourth draft choice to simply get Rick Nash. They also think that everyone wants to play here in Toronto, because it's such a great hockey town. You know better, don't you? Sleep well tonight, and good luck. You certainly deserved better.
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