Something Other Than Hockey

By: Patrice L. Leonard

Now that the NHL is in the middle of a hiatus for the Olympics, I thought maybe I’d focus on some of the other things going on in the city of Philadelphia over the past few weeks. Some news bites have particularly peeked my interest.

As much as it pains me, I have to touch on the Donovan McNabb issue that took place Super Bowl weekend. I have sworn to myself that I would never talk about McNabb due to the fact that he is my least favorite Philadelphia athlete. I’m being nice when I say that. Personally, I despise everything he stands for. I think that he is a gutless, heartless, phony. But aside from that, he just doesn’t know when to let go and move on. The only thing he has proven is that he is a big crybaby.

The fact that he chose a “world” stage to voice old issues just shows how infantile he is. The fact that anyone actually still cares what he has to say is just as sad. I guess I can understand if they are die-hard football fans and crave all that is football. I feel the same way about hockey. But, come on. There is a huge scandal in the NHL right now, and there really isn’t a lot being said about it other than the usual news reports.

I see that the only real lesson to be learned here is that when the spotlight has turned away from McNabb, he’ll do anything to get it back in his direction. That alone speaks volumes of his character. Actually, he has no character. What he has is selfishness. What he has is a “me” only attitude. What he doesn’t have is the respect of a lot of people in this town and across the country.

Now with that rant over, I’d like to move on to something that saddens me slightly. I have to talk about the trade rumors surrounding Allen Iverson. Iverson has been one of my all-time favorite local and NBA players. To watch him play for another team would hurt. I don’t care if he wins a championship with another team, he deserves it. To see him in another uniform just wouldn’t seem right.

The truth is he will never win the title he is so rightly entitled to with the 76ers. He has given us his blood, sweat, and tears for so many years. We have no choice but to let him go on to pursue his dream of being a champion. That’s what you do for those you care for. It would be a good move for the Sixers as well. We would be able to start rebuilding our team. We can start adding to a great young core of players that are already here. In the end everyone has the potential to come out on top. I don’t want to see AI go, but there isn’t anything else he can do for this team. Allen is by no means holding the Sixers back, but he does need to move on. If we are a smart basketball town, we will miss him enormously. We must wish him luck and great success. When he comes to play us here in Philly, we will be kind and give him the welcome home he deserves.

I have to end this with a little bit of hockey. I’ll admit when I heard that Peter Forsberg was going to suit up and play for team Sweden on Saturday, I was furious. He was unable to play for the Flyers for eight games, but yet he will play in the Olympic Games. I had mixed emotions. Forsberg is without a doubt my favorite Flyer since Ron Hextall strapped on the goalie pads.

I watched as much of Sweden’s game against Latvia that was televised. I also saw how few minutes he played. I saw a Swedish National Team turn the tide and play with a passion and resolve that was missing the first two games of the tournament. I at that moment understood. Just as the hopes and dreams of the USA rest on our athletes, those same hopes and dreams of Sweden rest on Peter Forsberg. He is an icon in that country, practically royalty. The knowledge that he is there present with his team has proven meaningful. He is there for support. He is there for guidance. He will play in the medal rounds for sure. They will need him. He will be huge in that tournament.

I no longer feel the anger I first felt upon hearing that news on Friday. I know that the decision to even go over to Italy was a hard one for him. He knew that he had two interested parties. It was written all over his face, riddled with angst and worry. I support all of our athletes who made the trip to Torino. I’m glad Peter went. I will watch him play and cheer for him, except when Sweden plays the USA. Then it’s on!