OT: Bob Probert has reportedly died.
this is one of those things you don't see coming. he'll be fighting angels in heaven now! thanks for the memories
Sadly, Mr. Probert had a history of drug and alcohol addiction.
BP was adored by his fans (of which I have always been one) and the post above shows a certain lack of respect, but I can't say I am totally shocked by this outcome. When I saw the title I thought "Shit, the world lost a great guy there" but I wasn't shocked by the fact that he had passed away.
I don't think anything BP had done in his life (that I was aware of anyway) diminish him in my eyes. He had struggles like everyone else and dealt with them like many people do. He seemed like a great guy and was a hell of a lot of fun to watch.
Thanks for memories Bob, and RIP.
In full disclosure, I am not a Wings fan but worked in Windsor for a good portion of the early 1990's each summer. Probert certainly had a tremendous influence on the game for good and bad. He was a mythic character in Windsor where, on any day you could walk down by the river and see at least one or two middle aged men wearing shirts that said "Give Blood: Fight Probert". Classic.
Bob Probert had off ice issues with drugs and alcohol but in the past years he had apparently done well to clean up these concerns in his life. He was married and a father of twin boys. This is a tragic loss and my condolences go out to his family and friends. This over focus on the issues he faced in past is pathetic and regrettable.
I will remember Bob Probert for his epic battles with Tie Domi. Respect.
Ah, Probie. Dammit.
On a side note, I don't think Domi's spinal cord touched his brain. It's the only way to explain how he could soak up so much damage.
regardless of what personal battles one may have, when they die at 45 years young, you NEVER see it coming. I feel today like I did they day that The Bird passed...with a terrible saddnes. And those are two players I never got to see compete, but I realize what they both meant to this town. And we lost them both too soon.
As I write this several hours after reading about the news, I can't but help but shed a few tears. The comment below about him serving a misconduct for fighting the angels made me smile.
But there is no reason at all to, at this moment, bring up anything about alcohol and drugs. This is a sad day for Red Wings and Blackhawks fans. I wish I had been old enough to see that man play. God speed, Probie. God speed!
This is really sad. He was at the Wings game I went to a couple months ago.
My dad was a huge Wings fan and Stevie Y was his favorite player. After hearing his name a lot, I remember asking my dad one night what Bob Probert does and he answered, "He protects Stevie Y, baby."
My prayers are with his family tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSuRKuu_n7A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCZEMSsGWYU&feature=related
Can't figure out how to get this to pop up without clicking the link, but here are some Probert fights. He was one of the best.
RIP. there are no penalty boxes in heaven.
Wow, this is horrible news. An absolute childhood legend, often for the wrong reasons.
45?? Far too young... this is tragic. Hopefully there's a big rink in the sky somewhere that he can play on.
I feel sick...this is heartbreaking.
Bob Probert.....probably my dad's favorite hockey player ever. This sucks.
He made alot of bad decisions off the ice, but was one of the most popular players on the ice. I will remember him for the duels with Tie Domi and others. Prayers for his family and friends....
it just occurred to me that his name is Robert pRobert. weird.
RIP
He's just serving a game misconduct in the big penalty box in the sky for the asskicking he laid on whatever angel came down to fetch him.
It is always tragic when someone passes this young, especially someone who gave every ounce of himself on the ice. Many will focus on his problems, but I would be willing to bet that a warrior like Probert had a lot of brain damage from fighting and from his tough style of play in general. I could easily be wrong here, but count me in among those who believe he paid the ultimate price for what he did on the ice, not off, no matter what an autopsy eventually shows.
If there is a silver lining here, it is that maybe there will be more concussion research and that someday all contact sports can be made truly safe for their participants. If it were my choice, I would lower the threshold of what is seen as a concussion or at least add some kind of a "chronic sub-concussion" catagory. It is becoming obvious, even from the small amount of research that is available to the average fan, that many of the drug and social problems we blame on a "lack of discipline" stem from undiagnosed depression as a result of too many blows to the head.
RIP and condolences to the Probert family.
Probert is THE reason that I became a hockey fan. As a young man, I had no exposure to hockey except for changing past the games on channel 50 with Ray Lane. Low and behold, one day I happened to catch a fight while flipping through channels. I thought, who needs boxing when you can catch a fight almost daily. My world has been different every since. I am thankful for years of enjoyment of one of the greatest sports. I owe this all to Probert, without him, I never would have watched, let alone learn the game.
Terribly sad news. Hope some angels are ready to drop the gloves.
Guess who got the loudest ovation at Stevie Y's number retirement ceremony, other than Stevie himself? RIP, Probie.
It was always exciting to see him play. Anything could happen.
He was such a good guy. I will pray for his family.
Wow....I am at a loss for words. Being a NBA fanatic as a kid, he and Stevie Y were the reasons why I started to follow hockey. Not a good day for Red Wings fans.
I will pull someone's shirt over their head and punch them in the face.
Absolute blast to watch and one of my favorite Red Wings.
This is heart wrenching news today. I really can't believe he has passed away at 45 years of age. One of the hard hitters for the Wings back in the 1990s and was never shy to jump in a fight. Horrible news for Red Wing fans every where tonight. My thoughts to the Probert family. RIP Bob.
Damn left key on the mouse of my Inspiron is broken.
Loved that Wendell Clark referred to the old Chuck Norris division.
In his honor I will spend the next hour watching his fights on youtube. Truly a great fighter and a great hockey player. To bad the first paragraph of every story will be about his drinking and drug problem. Bob you will always be remembered as a great player and person here in Detroit. RIP...
Pretty much the saddest day ever. I am more upset than I should be. He is my favorite Red Wing player of all time. It's like a part of my childhood just died.
RIP Probie
B. Probert and J. Kocer made me a hockey fan. RIP Probie.
Definitely one of my favorite Wings. I was very glad he had The Captain's back.
Thanks for the memories