Brian Boyle Proves Hockey Players Are The Toughest People Alive
Most professional athletes are pussies. MLB player gets sunburn, out a game. NFL player’s knee feels funny, season-ending injury. Soccer player trips on grass, cries (legend has it if you’re quiet enough during a soccer injury, you can hear the sound of the world’s smallest violin in the background). NBA player sprains ankle — oh, the horror! — better bring the stretcher out onto the court.
There is one notable exception to this: hockey players. Hockey players are made with the strength of steel, the courage of a lion, and the passion of a thousand burning suns. In my hockey-watching career, I’ve seen players lose teeth and not miss a shift on the ice, as well as break their hand before merely asking the trainer for an ice pack. What would be season-ending injuries in any other sport can be fixed with ice and duct tape in the NHL.
Just when you think hockey players can’t get tougher, something like this happens. Veteran NHL player Brian Boyle announced this week that he suffers from a form of leukemia.
From the NHL:
“When that happens, I don’t know, but my mindset is on Oct. 7 (the season opener against the Colorado Avalanche). I don’t like missing games. If I [play poorly] one night, it’s because I [played poorly], not because of any other reason.”
The dude literally has cancer and his main concern is playing the game. He doesn’t want pity, and he’s not making excuses. This man finds out he has a disease everyone on planet Earth dreads, and his reaction is “give me my stick and helmet — let’s fucking do this.”
Brian Boyle, you’re an inspiration to us all. Next time you dread doing something, think, “What would Brian Boyle do?” Which is “put forth the most positive and determined mindset possible then crush whatever is in front of him.” Be like Brian Boyle. Approach life like Brian Boyle.
Thankfully, Boyle’s prognosis is good. His leukemia was caught early, and apparently his specific type, chronic myeloid leukemia, is treatable.
Godspeed, Brian Boyle. You’re a warrior if I’ve ever seen one. Can’t wait to see you skate out on that Prudential Center ice in a Devils jersey.
Keep staying awesome, dude. We’re all cheering for ya..
[via NHL]
Image via YouTube
Rich Peverley’s heart stopped while he was sitting on the bench during a Stars game. When he was revived with an AED, the first thing he wanted was to go back into the game. Hockey players are real men.
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