Saturday, August 06, 2005
TRULY A CLASS ACT
Okay, I promise, no more hockey for a while. But in my forty five years as a sports fan, this is perhaps the clasiest thing I have ever seen from an athlete. He is a true credit to the Detroit/Windsor area. And a real class act!from the Detroit Free Press via Christy at Behind The Jersey
Darren McCarty's Letter to Fans
July 28, 2005
Don't be sad it's over -- be happy it happened.
In the past few days, since the official word came of the buyout and as the status of my contract teetered, the reality that I'm not going to be a Red Wing anymore has set in, and I've taken some time to reflect.
I don't know if it's maturity ('cause if you know me, that's never been an issue) or the painstaking reality of the past 12 months without hockey. Either way, I'm saddened to leave an organization in a place where I've grown up, raised a family, been part of a first-class and first-rate team, won three Stanley Cups and achieved great personal success.
But looking back, what I really feel is gratitude -- thankful for the opportunity to realize a childhood dream to play for my childhood team. Grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Ilitch and their entire family for letting this boy become a man and always treating my family as one of their own. Grateful to the entire Red Wing organization from Ken Holland and his staff, to John Hahn and Anne Marie Krappmann in the PR department for their ever tireless effort. Grateful to Piet Van Zant and Paul Boyer for patching me up and getting me back out on the ice. Grateful for the support and memories from everyone at the Joe whom I will miss seeing daily, and thankful to the media for not only their endless support of myself but in the way they've always supported the McCarty Cancer Foundation and my band Grinder.
What will I miss most about playing hockey in Detroit? That's simple. The fans. From the day-to-day coffee stop or gas station conversation to the people who say hello on the street or ask for an autograph at the checkout, there are no greater fans than those in Detroit.
These are the great things about my time as a Red Wing that I will always remember no matter where I go. Thank you to all of you. But please don't shed a tear 'cause it's over -- crack a smile 'cause it happened, and no one can ever take that away. I'll always be a Red Wing at heart, and Detroit will always be my home.
Much love to you all,
Darren McCarty, Red Wings No. 25
Mark's note: I found this on the site linked above. It is a really nice Wings fan site run by 17yr old Christy Hammond. Christy is an aspiring journalist entering the University of Michigan. A graduate of Detroit Country Day HS, she was a three year staff member at the school newspaper, and captain of the track team. Besides running her own website, she is a contributing writer to ON THE WINGS. Please take a minute and drop by her site and give her an attaboy!
Curently featured at the CHURCH POTLUCK, Banana/Graham Cracker Cake!
