If you’ve been listening to the news or any sports talk show, then you know that Milan Lucic–the Boston Bruins left winger–said, “I’m going to [insert expletive] kill you next year”, a threat he delivered to the Montreal Canadiens, Dale Weise while making his way down the hand shake line after the final game of a Stanley Cup playoff series in which the Bruins lost to the Canadiens.
Why is this an issue? Isn’t hockey known for its violence? Its brawls? Its “let’s get even” on the ice attitude? Yes, all that’s true. However, this is an issue for many reasons. For one, hockey is probably one of the few professional sports out there where there even is a hand shake line, a last ditch effort to lose graciously, leave the grudges on the ice, and congratulate the winners.
Secondly–and perhaps more importantly–Milan Lucic and his wife as recently as March of this year released a children’s book that teaches children NOT to bully others. Lucic has been quoted as saying: “I always feel like — and still to this day — that you should treat people the way you want to be treated. That’s why I feel strongly about this issue. It’s unfortunate it’s still an ongoing issue.”
And he’s also been quoted as saying: ““Teach [kids] to respect everyone, respect themselves and respect your peers. I know that’s what I was brought up to believe in growing up. My parents did such a good job with myself.”
Such excellent advice coming from a man who, in essence, bullied Weise when he threatened to kill him in the upcoming season. Apparently, Lucic doesn’t exactly practice what he preaches…or publishes. And, he’s a poor loser to boot.
In interviews with Lucic regarding the threat he’s said everything EXCEPT that he’s sorry. According to Lucic, what’s said on the ice stays on the ice and he’s not sorry for what he’s said. “I’m a guy that plays on emotion, and this is a game of emotions. Sometimes you make decisions out of emotion that might not be the best ones. That’s what it is.”
And how is this any different from being a bully? Different “playground” perhaps, but same concept.
Additionally, Lucic said, “It’s unfortunate, because what’s said on the ice stays on the ice, and unfortunately that code is broken and it’s unfortunate that it blows up to what it is now,” Lucic said. “I’m not the first guy to do it, I’m not the last guy to do it.”
Neither of these statements make him credible as a player to look up to or as a writer of a book against bullying. The excuse that he’s not the first nor will he be the last guy to do it simply shows he can’t or won’t accept responsibility that his actions and words were not appropriate. Can’t a bully claim that what happens on the playground stays on the playground? Yep. But it still doesn’t make it right.
Bullying is a real problem. This man–in my opinion–blew up his credibility as someone trying to teach children that bullying is wrong. If children are to look up to professional athletes as role models then they need to clean up their own acts and live by what they attempt to teach children.
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So sorry this blog was late today. Had no Internet service this morning and then took a much needed nap after work.
Hope all enjoy a lovely and bully-free weekend. Until next time…