| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alex |
Posted - 10/15/2009 : 17:53:13
If you've been on tsn.ca recently you'll notice they're devoting a lot of attention to Theo Fleury's new book. In his autobiography, he talks about being sexually abused by former coach Graham James. Now all the headlines are focusing on his possible pending lawsuit against James and it's everywhere.
Now, I would ask that you guys don't attack me if you strongly disagree with me - which you may - on this one, but I have been wondering and I just was wondering if others have been wondering as well, why come out with this now? It's just been a long series of events for Fleury: training to make a comeback, getting permission to play again, getting a call from the Flames, going to camp, getting cut, this new book - which is full of revelations - and now perhaps a lawsuit.
TSN's Darren Dreger asked Fleury why he allowed James to coach a team the Fleury owned to which he answered:
"There was a lot of shame and guilt around all that," Fleury told Dreger. "[James] still had a pretty good hold on me. [It's like the] Stockholm syndrome, people are loyal to the abuser. It's like domestic abuse, people always go back because it's all they know."
Reading that, it seems to make you think ''Fleury can't be blamed for anything he did, it was this scumbag of a guy James that's to blame.'' It's not my place to judge, understand that I understand that, but I'm just wondering, does anyone else at least think it's possible that this whole series of events is a PR move, a chance to get in people's good books, to clear his name... that there's some goal of getting into the Hall of Fame or opening the door for a money-making opportunity or whatever it may be?
I mean, why come out with this now? This series of events seems somewhat calculated to me. This, again, from someone who did not grow up watching the guy so keep that in mind. |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| KariyaSelanne |
Posted - 10/16/2009 : 22:04:45
quote:
Originally posted by Beans15
Speaking honestly, I will wait for the paperback. I don't make enough cheddar to buy hardcover books. But I will definately read the book.
Picked up a copy today, only $20 at Costco :p |
| irvine |
Posted - 10/16/2009 : 17:12:48
quote:
Would all this "failed drug test" stuff have been made public anyway, making the NHL look stupid and coming right after they re-instated him? I mean, if he were that close to making the Flames, surely he coulda caught on in Atlanta or another lower tier team (dare i say the Leafs )?
What "failed drug test," do you speak of? He has recently failed a drug test? or...
Also, i'm sure another team would have picked him up. But he made it very clear, it was Flames or retire.
Irvine |
| n/a |
Posted - 10/15/2009 : 23:42:48
Why come out with this now?
Well, I'd give two answers, from my perspective, and one of them takes Fleury at his word: Because he's ready to, and the timing is right for publicity.
The guy lost millions and millions, up his nose and down his throat, as he says. At some level, he is trying to recoup those losses and make something back. That's what the comeback attempt was for, and to build up to a point where I think he could feel good about closing the book on the biggest part of his life.
I have no problem with that, personally.
The one thing, Alex, that you will see on this site and with lots of commentary from people who lived through Fleury's career - we all like him. Strange, isn't it? I mean, you look at just the bare facts, and you'd think there might not be a lot of sympathy for a guy who has screwed up time and time again . . . but it speaks to how he has come across to all of us as: he seems like a good person, like a kid who always wants to please his dad, an adult who has personal demons, largely as a result of what he went through as a kid.
To satisfy you, Alex - when exactly would have been the "right time" to come out with it? I don't mean to accuse you or be combative with this question, it's simply meant as rhetorical . . . and the answer is, there is never a right time, and that it would always be questioned.
I don't fault Theo on trying to build up sales of his book, because I genuinely feel for the guy. I don't know him personally at all, but that is the sense I get, and I believe him when he says he was just ready for it at this time. I do think he has tried to build up PR for it, but I accept that as a way for him to get some money to go on with his life.
I don't begrudge him a thing here, and I may just buy that book myself.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
| Alex116 |
Posted - 10/15/2009 : 22:50:05
quote:
Originally posted by Guest4629
sexual abuse aside, a horrible thing to which he has my deepest sympathies...I think his attempted comback was a PR move to promote his book. The timing can't be ignored. Good for him.
I kinda agree with this scenario. I think the comeback might have had something to do with publicity for the book. Don't get me wrong, i admire Fleury for everything he accomplished after going thru the hell he must have gone thru? Question is, what if he had made the team, which from everything i hear, he wasn't far off? Would all this "failed drug test" stuff have been made public anyway, making the NHL look stupid and coming right after they re-instated him? I mean, if he were that close to making the Flames, surely he coulda caught on in Atlanta or another lower tier team (dare i say the Leafs)? |
| Guest4629 |
Posted - 10/15/2009 : 22:22:01
sexual abuse aside, a horrible thing to which he has my deepest sympathies...I think his attempted comback was a PR move to promote his book. The timing can't be ignored. Good for him. |
| Beans15 |
Posted - 10/15/2009 : 19:21:57
Here is my take. It is really a double edge sword. I think Fleury coming out with what happened to him and his battles take more courage than any of us can ever understand. To go through any of that is something that most of us will never know. I also beleive that he is doing it for all the right reasons. To tell the tale and have a single kid read the book that is going through or went through something like Fleury and that person comes forward with the courage that Fluery could not muster at that time is worth the book. It worth everything to have a single pervert off the street and save a single kid from going through something similar.
That being said, I think there is also a monetary benefit to Fleury through this all. Does he deserve it?? Sure. Why not. But I also think that there will be a few more hard covers sold with his name being somewhat back in the spotlight after his comeback attempt.
In the end, it doesn't matter if there are a few more Johnny A Mac's in Theo's wallet? If even 1/2 of what I have read about what he went through is true, no amount of money can compensate for what was taken from him.
Speaking honestly, I will wait for the paperback. I don't make enough cheddar to buy hardcover books. But I will definately read the book. |
| irvine |
Posted - 10/15/2009 : 19:12:07
This isn't a very lite topic, by any means. When somebody, any body, is subjected to abuse or sexual abuse it is never a good thing. Nor is it their fault.
As for whether this is all calculated to try and get in to peoples "good books," I'm not sure he was ever in many peoples bad books.
Yes, he had an addiction, but this to me, takes nothing away from what he has accomplished as a hockey player. As for coming out with it now, publicly, perhaps he finally feels comfortable enough with the situation at hand, and is no longer ashamed and feels at fault. It's a very tough thing to deal with.
He struggled with his addictions for years, and finally has things on the rite track. So perhaps, this IS the PERFECT time to admit all of his frustrations and abuse. As just maybe, he finally feels he's human again. Now that he is sober.
He tryed coming back to the NHL, I believe, for one reason only. To have his name cleared by the NHL (not the fans, not the HHOF,) but the NHL that he deserves to be able to play again. Thus, having the ban lifted. So he can now, finally, retire the way he and his fans wanted him to. On his terms, not the terms of his addiction or the National Hockey League.
So to sum things up...
Perhaps some of it is to sell a few extra books, but I don't believe he came out publicly about something that has haunted him for many, many years in the sexual abuse case. As for a lawsuit, he may just be ready for justice to be served and to lift the burden from himself, as he did nothing wrong regarding that. He is now finally sober, free to play in the NHL if he so chooses (and a job arises,) or he can retire somewhat gracefully from the NHL on his terms. Like many of his idols have before him. Not because of an addiction, that so many of us fellow North American's share.
Irvine |
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