Sports Sporting Obituaries

Windsor-born, retired NHL Enforcer (Detroit Red Wings & Chicago Blackhawks) Bob Probert dies of Suspected Heart Attack While Boating with Family.

Windsor's Bob Probert, arguably the toughest man ever in the National Hockey League, was on a boating trip on Lake St. Clair with family on July 5th when he complained about chest pain, then collapsed. His father-in-law performed CPR on him as the boat raced to shore.

Neighbours said emergency services personnel worked on him onshore before he was rushed to Windsor Regional Hospital. He naver regained conciousness.

Very sad. Bob Probert was only 45 years old.

Very popular amongst hockey fans in Windsor and Detroit, Probert lived a quiet life as a family man in his home town.

Athough remembered for his fights, the Windsor native had 384 points (163 goals, 221 assists) in 935 career regular-season games with Detroit and Chicago. His 3,300 career penalty minutes rank sixth in NHL history.

Probert appeared last fall as a contestant on CBC's Battle of the Blades show where former hockey greats were paired with well known female figure skaters.

http://www.windsorstar.com/tough+Probert+d...8287/story.html
NHL tough guy Bob Probert dead at 45
By Trevor Wilhelm, Don Lajoie and Dylan Kristy, Canwest News Service
July 5, 2010

WINDSOR, Ont. — He was a legendary on-ice brawler who fought personal battles with booze, drugs and the law — then found redemption in good deeds and the hearts of his children.

Former Detroit Red Wing and Chicago Blackhawk Bob Probert, 45, died suddenly Monday after collapsing in a boat on Lake St. Clair near Windsor.

"He was largely misunderstood," said Patrick Ducharme, who represented Probert for more than two decades as his agent and criminal lawyer. "Beneath that tough exterior that he demonstrated in his NHL career was really a very timid, shy, not very outgoing person. He largely wanted to do good things, and when he was sober and thinking straight, he did some tremendous things."

Close friend Rick Rogow said Probert was boating with his children, father-in-law and mother-in-law when he developed "severe chest pain" and collapsed around 2 p.m. local time. Father-in-law Dan Parkinson, police chief in Cornwall, Ont., performed CPR in a desperate attempt to save him.

A witness on the scene, who asked not to be identified, said Probert looked like he was fixing something on his Bombardier Speedster 200 boat.

"He was fixing the trim or something, stood up and then collapsed," the witness said.


Neighbours on shore rushed to Probert's side after seeing the retired hockey player's family calling for help. The OPP's forensic identification unit was on scene briefly examining Probert's blue and white Seadoo sport boat.

A next door neighbour said emergency services personnel "were already working on him in the boat and were working on him for a while" before transporting him to Windsor Regional Hospital.


Rogow and Parkinson held a brief news conference Monday evening at Windsor Regional Hospital. They didn't take questions from the media.

"This is a tragedy for the family," said Parkinson.

"This was totally unexpected. Bob lost the fight of his life this afternoon."

Probert's death is similar to that of his father, a former Windsor police officer, who died of a heart attack at age 41. He leaves behind his wife Dani and four young children: Brogan, Tierney, and twins Jack and Declyn.


"Bob was a part of our very first NHL draft class that also included Steve Yzerman, Joe Kocur, Petr Klima and Stu Grimson," Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said in a statement. "Bob was always there for his teammates and was one of the toughest men to ever play in the NHL. He was also one of the kindest, most colourful and beloved players Detroit has ever known. We are very saddened by his passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob's family."


Ducharme said there's been a lot of focus on Probert's tough-guy image and his personal struggles, but there was a much sweeter side to the big brawler.

He once donated a "significant amount of money" so a sick young boy could fly to Los Angeles for an expensive medical procedure.

"He helped save a little boy's life," said Ducharme. "And he wanted to do so anonymously. He didn't want anybody to know about it. He did that out of the goodness of his heart and because he was a good person."

Probert had visited Canadian troops in Afghanistan and did charitable work including raising money through playing old-timer hockey.

But, particularly in his younger days, Probert's darker side often got the upper hand. He was arrested in 1989 for trying to smuggle cocaine into the U.S.

"He had his demons over the years," said Ducharme. "And when the demons would flare up, all manner of good behaviour and thoughtfulness and sensitivity went out the window as he struggled with those demons."


Ducharme first met Probert when the hockey player was charged with several offences related to drunk driving, assaulting police and resisting arrest.

Ilitch, Jim Devellano, then the Red Wings general manager, and captain Steve Yzerman walked Probert into Ducharme's office.

"He had hired another lawyer who said there was no question he was going to go to jail," said Ducharme. "They asked if they thought I could keep him out of jail. Ever the optimist, I said I had no doubt I could keep him out of jail."

Ducharme got Probert to plead guilty to a more minor offence, and did keep him out of jail.

"From then on, I became a part of his life," said Ducharme. "It was at times a lot of fun. I used to say to him he took me to the highs and lows of life, from signing multi-million dollar contracts to trying to explain cocaine in his pocket while he was passed out on a street corner. It had every kind of bend and dip you can imagine."


Ducharme said Probert's love for his children was the main reason he refused to let his weaknesses overpower him.

"He had four beautiful children and he loved them very much," said Ducharme. "Part of his struggles to maintain sobriety were really struggles to maintain his relationship with his children."

Former hockey foe Craig Muni said he also saw Probert's children bring out his softer side when they became teammates in retirement for a number of NHL alumni games.

"When we came to Windsor he would be in the dressing room with his family, wife and kids and he would take them out for a skate," Muni said from Buffalo. "He was a good guy and a family man."

Probert — a former all-star who played 935 NHL games and scored the last goal at Maple Leaf Gardens — may have had a gentle hand with his children, but his on-ice opponents didn't receive the same courtesy. He ranks fifth all time in penalty minutes with 3,300 to go along with his 163 goals and 221 assists.

Muni, who played against Probert many times, said he was "tough" to face. But it wasn't just for his fists.

"He was absolutely one of the toughest players to ever play in the NHL," said the three-time Stanley Cup winner. "But he could play. He had good hands, a great skater, had speed, could shoot, could score. He was a pure power forward."


Former Wings teammate and unofficial "Bruise Brother" Joe Kocur, also known to strike fear into the hearts of opponents whenever the referee yelled "let em go," often helped Probert deliver the pain. But he also said Probert was more than a brawler.

"This is a very sad day for Red Wings fans as we have lost one of the toughest players, best power forwards and all-around great guys who ever wore the winged wheel," he said.

"My favourite memory of Bob would be sitting down before a game, going over the opposing lineup and picking and choosing who would go first and if the goalie would be safe or not. It was great to be able to go out on the ice knowing that he had my back and I had his. He was like the brother I never had."

http://www.myfoxdetr...d-20100705-wpms
Former Red Wing Bob Probert Dies
Updated: Tuesday, 06 Jul 2010, 8:20 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 05 Jul 2010, 5:22 PM EDT

DETROIT (AP) - Retired hockey enforcer Bob Probert, as adept with his fists as with a stick in a 16-season career with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, died Monday after suffering chest pains while boating with his family. He was 45.

"Bob lost the fight of his life this afternoon," said Probert's father-in-law, Dan Parkinson, a police officer who performed CPR before Probert was rushed to Ontario's Windsor Regional Medical Center.

Click on the video player to watch video on Probert's life and hear reaction from former teammate Shawn Burr.

Probert was on a boat in Lake St. Clair with his wife, children and in-laws when he "developed severe chest pains" Monday, family friend Rich Rogow told a Monday evening news conference at the medical center.

"This is a tragedy for the family," Parkinson said. "We ask that you respect their privacy at this time."

Probert, who struggled to overcome drinking problems during his time in the NHL, played for the Red Wings in 1985-1994 and for the Blackhawks in 1995-2002.

"Bob was a part of our very first NHL Draft class that also included Steve Yzerman, Joe Kocur, Petr Klima and Stu Grimson," Red Wings owners Mike and Marian Ilitch said in a statement. "Bob was always there for his teammates and was one of the toughest men to ever play in the NHL.

"He also was one of the kindest, most colorful, and beloved players Detroit has ever known."

Blackhawks president John McDonough said the organziation's "thoughts and prayers are with the entire Probert family."

"Bob will always be a member of the Blackhawks family and his memory will live on through our fans," McDonough said in a statement.

The Windsor native had 384 points (163 goals, 221 assists) in 935 career regular-season games with Detroit and Chicago. His 3,300 career penalty minutes rank sixth in NHL history.

"Bob was a guy that started as a strictly tough guy but made himself a player," former Toronto maple Leafs enforcer Wendel Clark told Canadian Press. "Off the ice, everything was a whole different story. He was one of the good guys and he'd do anything for anybody."

Probert was charged several times with driving under the influence while playing for Detroit. He also was caught trying to carry cocaine from Canada into the U.S. in 1989 and served a six-month federal prison sentence.

The Blackhawks honored Probert with a Bob Probert Heritage Night on Feb. 22, 2009, at the United Center, and he dropped the ceremonial puck before Game 3 of the 2009 Western Conference Final between Detroit and Chicago.

No funeral arrangements were immediately made. Probert is survived by his wife and four children.
 
Beloved Baseball Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson dies

Hall-of-Famer Sparky Anderson has passed away. He was the first Baseball manager to win the World Series in both the National League (Cincinnatti Reds) and then in the American League (Detroit Tigers).

A humble man, Sparky was most proud of creating the Children's Charity CATCH and returned to Detroit often for fundraisers.
CATCH is a children's charity that was founded in 1987 by then Detroit Tigers Manager Sparky Anderson. CATCH raises funds to provide a current and future source of revenue to help improve the quality of life for sick, injured and at-risk pediatric patients who receive care from Children's Hospital of Michigan and Henry Ford Hospital. Included is the CATCH Pediatric Mobile Health Programs that provide basic health services for Detroit children who experience barriers to accessing health care.

Farewell Sparky. You touched many lives. You will be missed.

http://www.montrealg...l#ixzz14KasKwcb
Beloved Baseball Manager Sparky Anderson dies
by Postmedia News
November 4, 2010


Legendary baseball manager Sparky Anderson died Thursday at the age of 76.

Anderson, who went by his given name of George in his private life, had been placed in hospice care on Wednesday in at his home in Thousand Oaks, California. According to ESPN, family spokesman Dan Ewald said in a statement that Anderson died as a result of complications from dementia.

In 26 years as a major league manager, Anderson led his teams to a 2,194-1,834 record with a .545 winning percentage, five pennants and three World Series titles, including two with the Cincinnati Reds and one with the Detroit Tigers.

"This was a person that was like an extension of your parents of teaching you what's right and wrong. That helped on the field," longtime Detroit Tigers shortstop Alan Trammell told the Detroit News in 2009 during a 25th reunion of the Tigers' World Series victory. "He was honest. I love the man. I treasure the time we had together."

Born in Bridgewater, South Dakota, Anderson was signed a free agent in 1953 by the Brooklyn Dodgers, but he played just one season in the majors, suiting up at second base for 152 games with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1959.

He hit .218 with no home runs and 34 RBIs in his only big league season.

At the age of 36 in 1970, he made his managerial debut, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 102-60 record and the National League pennant. He remained in the Reds dugout until 1978, leading the team to an 863-586 record in nine seasons, including World Series championships in 1975 and 1976.

He was hired by the Tigers in 1979 and remained at the helm until 1995, guiding the Tigers to a 1,331-1,248 record and the 1984 World Series crown.

"The more I know him, the more I love the guy," former Tigers catcher Lance Parrish said at the reunion. "He's been a huge part of my career. He taught me a an awful lot about not only the game of baseball but the game of life.

"The funny thing is, it's not just me. I've heard testimonies from a lot of guys that I played with and they all reiterate the same thing about Sparky. He wasn't just interested in how you played on the field how performed on the field, but how you performed as a human being."

He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.
 
Retired NFL Quarterback and Announcing Great "Dandy Don Meredith" Dies"

Besides being a great quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys, Don was also popular for being the folksy color commentator on ABC-TV's "Monday Night Football" alongside analyst Howard Cosell and play-by-play man Frank Gifford.

Don was famous for breaking out into song, singing "Turn out the lights, the party's over" whenever he considered the current game to be out-of-reach for the losing side.

Don Meredith - Wikipedia
Joseph Don "Dandy Don" Meredith (April 10, 1938 – December 5, 2010) was an American football quarterback, sports commentator and actor. He played nine full seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys.

Football career
Meredith was born in Mt. Vernon, Texas, located approximately 100 miles northeast of Dallas. He played college football at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he started at quarterback for three years, leading the Southwest Conference in passing completion percentage each year and getting selected as an All-American in 1958 and 1959. Meredith was so popular on campus that many at the time jokingly referred to the school as "Southern Meredith University." Meredith was named All-American in 1958 and 1959.

The Chicago Bears chose Meredith in the third round of the 1960 NFL Draft, and traded him to a young Cowboys franchise for future draft picks. (Incidentally, the Cowboys' crosstown rivals in the AFL, the Texans, also picked Meredith as a "territorial selection" in their 1960 draft, though Meredith declined to play for them.) Meredith spent two years as a backup to Eddie LeBaron, eventually splitting time in 1962 before he was given the full-time starting job by head coach Tom Landry in 1963. In 1966, Meredith led the Cowboys to the NFL postseason, something he would continue to do until his unexpected retirement before the 1969 season. His two most heartbreaking defeats came in NFL Championship play against the Green Bay Packers, 34–27 in Dallas (1966), and in the famous "Ice Bowl" game, 21–17 in Green Bay (1967).

"Dandy Don," while never leading the Cowboys to a Super Bowl, was always exceptionally popular with Cowboys fans who remember him for his grit and toughness, his outgoing nature, and his leadership during the first winning seasons for the Cowboys. Meredith, along with Harvey Martin, is among the few players to play his high school (Mount Vernon), college (SMU), and pro (Dallas Cowboys) career in and around the Dallas, Texas, area. He never played a home game, on any level, outside of North Texas.

During his career, he had a 50.7 percent completion rate, throwing for 17,199 yards and 135 touchdowns with a lifetime passer rating of 74.8. He was named the NFL Player of the Year in 1966 and was named to the Pro Bowl three times.

Post-football career
Following his football career, Meredith became a color commentator for ABC's Monday Night Football beginning in 1970. He left for three seasons (1974 to 1976) to work with Curt Gowdy at NBC, then returned to MNF partners Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell. His approach to color commentary was light-hearted and folksy, in contrast to Cosell's detailed and intellectual analysis and Gifford's rather ponderous play-by-play technique. He was known for singing "Turn out the lights, the party's over" at the time the game was apparently decided.

Meredith's broadcasting career was also not without a few incidents of minor controversy; including referring to then-President Richard Nixon as "Tricky Dick," announcing that he was "mile-high" before a game in Denver, and turning the name of Cleveland Browns receiver Fair Hooker into a double entendre. (saying 'Fair Hooker...well, I haven't met one yet!')

Meredith retired from sportscasting after the 1984 season, a year after Cosell's retirement. His final broadcast was Super Bowl XIX with Frank Gifford and Joe Theismann, which was ABC's first Super Bowl.

Meredith also had an acting career, appearing in multiple movies and television shows, including a recurring starring role as Detective Bert Jameson on Police Story. He was in a series of commercials in the 1980s as Lipton Tea Lover, Don Meredith, a.k.a. "Jeff and Hazel's Baby Boy." Meredith was also featured in an episode of King of the Hill, ("A Beer Can Named Desire") in which he misses a throw that would have won the main character, Hank Hill, $100,000.

In 1976, Meredith was inducted into the Cowboys' Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium along with former running back Don Perkins.

Meredith was selected as the 2007 recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. He received the award at the Enshrinee's Dinner on August 3, 2007.

He resided in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Palm Springs, California, with his third wife, the former Susan Lessons Dullea, the former wife of actor Keir Dullea.

Death
Meredith died on December 6, 2010, at the age of 72 after suffering a brain hemorrhage.

Trivia
Meredith was portrayed by actor Brad Beyer in the 2002 TNT film Monday Night Mayhem, which chronicled the early years of Monday Night Football.
In 1966 Meredith recorded a single (45 rpm) record, "Travelin' Man" (NOT a cover of the Ricky Nelson song as commonly erroneously reported) and also featuring "Them That Ain't Got It Can't Lose."
Meredith was the on-screen announcer along with Keith Jackson of Bud Bowl 3. He famously used his catchphrase "turn out the lights!" in the final spot of the "game."
 
Back
Top