Marc Savard: Hell and Back

[Spoked-B]

Should have gone into acting...

 

[SpeedyLazaro]

When I was in my mid-20's I thought it would be fun to take my competitive spirit to the boxing gym. That resulted in hundreds of sparring rounds and 2 trips to the Lowell golden gloves as a 206 pound "super heavyweight". I took some massive, jarring, blows to the head and have no doubt that I did irreversible damage and got multiple concussions. If I knew then what I know now, I never would have done it. I used to just dismiss it as being "punchy".. 10 years later I got my first major diagnosed concussion playing in a men's league tournament. It scared the ever loving crap out of me.. slurred speach, dizziness, no short term memory. Not good for a guy who makes his living selling enterprise software.

These stories need to be told by high profile athletes. Head trauma used to be a joke. "He got his bell rung", "his eggs scrambled", "he's on Queer Street"... not something to laugh at as it's life changing and only takes one shot.

 

[sarge88]

I was 26 when I had my first and hopefully last concussion- I was playing third base in a Sunday softball league game when the batter hit a foul ball. I thought I could get it so I started chasing it. I was so focused on the ball that I didn't see the fence and ran face first right into the wall. Knocked out for about 30 seconds. Luckily one of my teammates was a nurse and she told our coach to call an ambulance. Hauled off to the hospital, x-ray was fine, doctor called it a "mild" concussion.

Yeah, right. For a week I couldn't tolerate any noise or light whatsoever. For about 6 weeks after that I was still sensitive but I could work. For months afterwards I just didn't feel right, something was "off" though I couldn't pin it down for you. If that was a mild one I shudder to think what Marc Savard had to endure. I hope your daughter will be all right.

Thank you!

I'm sure I've had at least 2 in my life, but nothing that lingered more than a week or so.

Hopefully she'll be okay soon.

 

[Sam the Lion]

**** Matt Cooke.

**** him for all eternity.

 

[Chief Nine]

When I was in my mid-20's I thought it would be fun to take my competitive spirit to the boxing gym. That resulted in hundreds of sparring rounds and 2 trips to the Lowell golden gloves as a 206 pound "super heavyweight". I took some massive, jarring, blows to the head and have no doubt that I did irreversible damage and got multiple concussions. If I knew then what I know now, I never would have done it. I used to just dismiss it as being "punchy".. 10 years later I got my first major diagnosed concussion playing in a men's league tournament. It scared the ever loving crap out of me.. slurred speach, dizziness, no short term memory. Not good for a guy who makes his living selling enterprise software.

These stories need to be told by high profile athletes. Head trauma used to be a joke. "He got his bell rung", "his eggs scrambled", "he's on Queer Street"... not something to laugh at as it's life changing and only takes one shot.

Had one when I was a kid in a Catholic elementary school. I slid into a wall on the ice and the next thing I knew I was on the floor in an office surrounded by a bunch of nuns standing over me praying. Thought I died and wound up in heaven.

That said, concussions are no joke at all. Glad Savard wrote that piece, it was gut wrenching to read.

But that story always does get a laugh.

 

[missingchicklet]

I still have a hard time digesting what happened to Savard. Really hard to read about his struggles. A hate Cooke with every bone in my body and wish nothing but the worst for that puke.

 

[SPB2776]

The very end made me smile and brought a tear to my eye at the same time.

 

[JCRO]

One of my favorite Bruins.

His vision on the ice.. Just wow.

Hard to read this story. But I am glad he is in a better place now then where he was post injury.

Best of luck, Savvy!

 

[NDiesel]

I still have a hard time digesting what happened to Savard. Really hard to read about his struggles. A hate Cooke with every bone in my body and wish nothing but the worst for that puke.

I'm not a very hateful person at all, but man I have never disliked any hockey player more in my life, I think it just made the hate so much worse since he was never suspended.

 

[Beyonder91]

[/B]

Maybe,but Savard had shown signs of declining also.

This is not true at all. He had his best season ever the year before... he didn't put up his most points ever but it was by far his best all around year. He was killing penalties and everything. Led the Bruins to first place in the East.

Started his concussion season missing time with a broken foot and had a knee injury later on as well. http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/bruins-marc-savard-expected-out-3-4-weeks-with-knee-injury-wont-need-surgery

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I still have a hard time digesting what happened to Savard. Really hard to read about his struggles. A hate Cooke with every bone in my body and wish nothing but the worst for that puke.

And people wonder why a lot of B's fans have PIT right there with MTL for most-hated rival?

Exhibit A.

(There is also: stealing the B's colors, Ulf, Mario being a puke, Crosby being a puke, and them stealing Iginla at the deadline. If the B's snagged Iggy instead of Jagr, two Cups in three years.)

 

[Fopppa]

Those last few lines hit me right in the feels :')

No kidding.

Glad he's finding his way out of that darkness. Loved him as a player, and definitely one of the catalysts for that team that won the Cup even though he didn't get to experience the end of that journey.

 

[ceg195]

Savvy was one of the best players I've ever watched live. He had a talent and style of his own. See how he maneuvered and slapped that puck in the net for that ot winner?

 

[JCRO]

Savvy was one of the best players I've ever watched live. He had a talent and style of his own. See how he maneuvered and slapped that puck in the net for that ot winner?

I was fortunate enough to be at that game.

Best game I have ever been to. Place went nuts.

 

[HockeyMomx2]

It's sad that it seems so many players think their entire identity is "hockey player." I understand why they may think that, but it's still sad.

I'm glad the Bruins were able to get his name on the cup. No wonder he still roots for the Bruins on Twitter.

I wonder if he really does have interest in returning as a coach someday.

I think hockey, figure skating and gymnastics are the only three sports left where the elite still leave home at a very young age. Hell I was 11 when I was sent to Olympic training camp for figure skating in Colorado. It's a hard road for so many reasons. I miss Savvy. So much. I too hope he ends up in Bruins FO when he's done coaching his kids.

 

[Gordoff]

And people wonder why a lot of B's fans have PIT right there with MTL for most-hated rival?

Exhibit A.

(There is also: stealing the B's colors, Ulf, Mario being a puke, Crosby being a puke, and them stealing Iginla at the deadline. If the B's snagged Iggy instead of Jagr, two Cups in three years.)

This and Pitt stole our colors. And let's not forget Lemieux and Neely's knee, bone mass etc. It's a toss up for me.
Added to those is the infuriating way the NHL made sure that they got Sidney and Evgeni Malkin. All in all, I couldn't choose which team I hate more.

PS. I just read your comment about stealing the B's colors. I was so hyped up to post I didn't read the rest of your post until after I posted mine....

 

[Gordoff]

I think hockey, figure skating and gymnastics are the only three sports left where the elite still leave home at a very young age. Hell I was 11 when I was sent to Olympic training camp for figure skating in Colorado. It's a hard road for so many reasons. I miss Savvy. So much. I too hope he ends up in Bruins FO when he's done coaching his kids.

I doubt that you would have any argument with that ! He's got a lot of lifelong friends here!