Former NHL player hit rock bottom: Stephen Peat

[Club]

Stephen Peat on the decline and not doing well. I didn't read the whole article because I'm out and about but Peat is living on the streets of BC

I wish him nothing but the best

Father of former NHLer says his son is living on B.C. streets and could be close to death

Click to read more...

 

[LA_Viking]

Really sad.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

Sad but old news no?

 

[tny760]

there's a thread about this guy on the 1st page

"NY Times Report on Concussions"

 

[TheAngryHank]

Hate hearing stories like this.

 

[Goonzilla]

I do and I don't feel sorry for guys like this.

As a human, you feel bad and hope they get help and support, but they've gotta do some things to help themselves too.

Looking at them as ex pro-athletes I'm not so sure. If you're not a star, do you think you're gonna be on the big money, have your name in headlights for a long time and never gonna have to work of do anything else after sport?

I've little sympathy for drug addicts, even stemming from prescriptions because at what level do people take responsibility for themselves?

If the sport doesn't work out, what did they think plan 'B' was gonna entail? Anyone just taking things one day at a time and not looking ahead, pro-athlete of otherwise is putting themselves at great risk of falling over.

 

[LeafsLegendAkiBerg]

I do and I don't feel sorry for guys like this.

As a human, you feel bad and hope they get help and support, but they've gotta do some things to help themselves too.

Looking at them as ex pro-athletes I'm not so sure. If you're not a star, do you think you're gonna be on the big money, have your name in headlights for a long time and never gonna have to work of do anything else after sport?

I've little sympathy for drug addicts, even stemming from prescriptions because at what level do people take responsibility for themselves?

If the sport doesn't work out, what did they think plan 'B' was gonna entail? Anyone just taking things one day at a time and not looking ahead, pro-athlete of otherwise is putting themselves at great risk of falling over.

The article suggests that his mental health was detiorating as a result of consuccion related CTE.

What a terrible view of addicts/addiction though.

 

[puckpilot]

As a human, you feel bad and hope they get help and support, but they've gotta do some things to help themselves too.

The thing is the guy shows signs of CTE and may have brain damage. He may not be capable of taking care of themselves.

With mental illness, it isn't as easy as suck it up butter cup. If a person isn't capable of thinking straight, how the heck are they supposed to make any decision to help themselves.

 

[LeafsLegendAkiBerg]

The thing is the guy shows signs of CTE and may have brain damage. He may not be capable of taking care of themselves.

With mental illness, it isn't as easy as suck it up butter cup. If a person isn't capable of thinking straight, how the heck are they supposed to make any decision to help themselves.

Agreed completely. I'm also not sure why some people have this "if you can't lift yourself up by your bootstraps, f*** you" type mentality. What's the issue with helping people battling mental health or addiction?

 

[Semantics]

Agreed completely. I'm also not sure why some people have this "if you can't lift yourself up by your bootstraps, **** you" type mentality. What's the issue with helping people battling mental health or addiction?

It's the whole selfish "f*** you, I've got mine" mentality. It's why certain countries still don't have universal health care, people just assume that everyone can buy their own insurance, if they're sick or have a pre-existing condition its their own fault.

 

[Aggie204]

Agreed completely. I'm also not sure why some people have this "if you can't lift yourself up by your bootstraps, **** you" type mentality. What's the issue with helping people battling mental health or addiction?

Unfortunately mental illness is easily seen as a weak persons diease. I will be a long time until it is accepted by everyone.

 

[Goonzilla]

The thing is the guy shows signs of CTE and may have brain damage. He may not be capable of taking care of themselves.

With mental illness, it isn't as easy as suck it up butter cup. If a person isn't capable of thinking straight, how the heck are they supposed to make any decision to help themselves.

I don't think at all 'suck it up' and I'm all for socialised medical/ healthcare, but people still have to bite the bullet and engage, it can't all be done for them and absolving or diminishing anyone of responsibility or accountability is enabling.

What I'm trying to say is that I don't think a former sports star or pro-athlete, rock star, celebrity or whatever should get cut any extra slack, leeway or consideration/empathy over or above any regular Joe.

A lot of sports stars struggle with coming down to earth after finishing playing; and undoubtedly there are hurdles, but there are plenty of other people who struggle through or with adversity, without having enjoyed the same sorts of opportunities as are presented to some higher profile people.

 

[sexydonut]

Goonzilla needs to stop.

Might as well say athletes or rockstars who have suffered disfiguring car accidents need to suck it up and take care of themselves.

What about Grandma with dementia? She needs to get her act together and remember to turn off the stove and remember the directions home.

 

[jetsforever]

Whoa, that's really sad. Hopefully he can make it through this.

 

[Goonzilla]

Not sure how not favouring or being more sympathetic to someone well known, above the man in the street equates to that, but happy to bow out.

Goonzilla needs to stop.

Might as well say athletes or rockstars who have suffered disfiguring car accidents need to suck it up and take care of themselves.

What about Grandma with dementia? She needs to get her act together and remember to turn off the stove and remember the directions home.

Did she play linebacker?

 

[VanCanucks53]

After a Life of Punches, Ex-N.H.L. Enforcer Is a Threat to Himself

That's an article about him just a little over a year ago. Sad to see that things have gotten much for him. Feel terrible for his father and of course Stephen himself. Hope he can make it through this but it's looking bleak right now. Just an awful story.

 

[puckpilot]

Not sure how not favouring or being more sympathetic to someone well known, above the man in the street equates to that, but happy to bow out.

I can only speak for myself, but I'm sure many probably feel the same, but nobody is favouring Peat or being more sympathetic to him than the average Joe on the street. I'd feel the same way if he was just some dude down the street. And the fact is he can barely even be considered well known. 130 games in the NHL didn't make him a household name, nor did it make him rich. Drop the name Stephen Peat onto any hockey fan. I bet for many the first reaction would be, "Who?"

Fact is when you're famous or semi-famous, your story gets put into the public eye more than an average person. This specific case tends to be more news worthy because of the issues with CTE and pro sports now days.

This isn't about a pro star coming down to earth. This isn't a player trying to cope with not knowing what to do with their lives after hockey. This is about a guy who has brain damage from playing hockey and fighting.

Part of his brain is damaged. It's not working right. You're saying it's simple as 2+2=4, but you can't seem to process that probably in this guys brain 2+2=5.

To put it another way, if someone isn't mentally sound from brain damage, and you expect them to make sound decisions, it's like expecting a legless person to be able to kick a 50 yard field goal.

 

[LeafsLegendAkiBerg]

Not sure how not favouring or being more sympathetic to someone well known, above the man in the street equates to that, but happy to bow out.


Did she play linebacker?

Do people who have some minor "celebrity" status deserve less help/sympathy than "normal" people? No one is making any special exceptions for this guy, it's literally just a call for help. You're upset that people who have more empathy than you are willing to help other human beings even if they were once athletes!

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I do and I don't feel sorry for guys like this.

As a human, you feel bad and hope they get help and support, but they've gotta do some things to help themselves too.

Looking at them as ex pro-athletes I'm not so sure. If you're not a star, do you think you're gonna be on the big money, have your name in headlights for a long time and never gonna have to work of do anything else after sport?

I've little sympathy for drug addicts, even stemming from prescriptions because at what level do people take responsibility for themselves?

If the sport doesn't work out, what did they think plan 'B' was gonna entail? Anyone just taking things one day at a time and not looking ahead, pro-athlete of otherwise is putting themselves at great risk of falling over.

I'm sorry, but this is a truly awful attitude that you have. Spoken I will assume by someone who's life hasn't been touched by addiction and mental illness (including CTE).

 

[tny760]

The article suggests that his mental health was detiorating as a result of consuccion related CTE.

What a terrible view of addicts/addiction though.

here's the thing though, you don't know that. no one will know until he dies and his brain is dissected. his health is deteriorating, yes, but is it deteriorating because of the (potential) CTE or because of his drug abuse? listen i'm torn on this too, but the way his dad seems to just casually blame the NHL comes off kinda like he's looking for an outside scapegoat. it just leaves a poor taste in my mouth.

 

[Nico the Draft Riser]

I do and I don't feel sorry for guys like this.

As a human, you feel bad and hope they get help and support, but they've gotta do some things to help themselves too.

Looking at them as ex pro-athletes I'm not so sure. If you're not a star, do you think you're gonna be on the big money, have your name in headlights for a long time and never gonna have to work of do anything else after sport?

I've little sympathy for drug addicts, even stemming from prescriptions because at what level do people take responsibility for themselves?

If the sport doesn't work out, what did they think plan 'B' was gonna entail? Anyone just taking things one day at a time and not looking ahead, pro-athlete of otherwise is putting themselves at great risk of falling over.

So I guess everyone on prescription pain killers should just writhe in pain instead of be addicted.

Right..

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

I can only speak for myself, but I'm sure many probably feel the same, but nobody is favouring Peat or being more sympathetic to him than the average Joe on the street. I'd feel the same way if he was just some dude down the street. And the fact is he can barely even be considered well known. 130 games in the NHL didn't make him a household name, nor did it make him rich. Drop the name Stephen Peat onto any hockey fan. I bet for many the first reaction would be, "Who?"

Fact is when you're famous or semi-famous, your story gets put into the public eye more than an average person. This specific case tends to be more news worthy because of the issues with CTE and pro sports now days.

This isn't about a pro star coming down to earth. This isn't a player trying to cope with not knowing what to do with their lives after hockey. This is about a guy who has brain damage from playing hockey and fighting.

Part of his brain is damaged. It's not working right. You're saying it's simple as 2+2=4, but you can't seem to process that probably in this guys brain 2+2=5.

To put it another way, if someone isn't mentally sound from brain damage, and you expect them to make sound decisions, it's like expecting a legless person to be able to kick a 50 yard field goal.

Do we know it is CTE?
Many people have obstacles without it being CTE.

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

I do and I don't feel sorry for guys like this.

As a human, you feel bad and hope they get help and support, but they've gotta do some things to help themselves too.

Looking at them as ex pro-athletes I'm not so sure. If you're not a star, do you think you're gonna be on the big money, have your name in headlights for a long time and never gonna have to work of do anything else after sport?

I've little sympathy for drug addicts, even stemming from prescriptions because at what level do people take responsibility for themselves?

If the sport doesn't work out, what did they think plan 'B' was gonna entail? Anyone just taking things one day at a time and not looking ahead, pro-athlete of otherwise is putting themselves at great risk of falling over.

Great opinion. This is exactly how I look at it also, but it isn't applicable to this situation because he fell out from reasons he supposedly cannot control.
Why is society all about helping people who won't help themselves? There's a fine line with a freeloader and a functioning member of society who fell off for a bit and needs a restart.
This comment isn't meant to be read like I hate anyone who doesn't figure it out or cannot get a job or any means to money and shelter and the other basic rights.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Feel bad for the guy. Unlikely that this ends well. Jail or dead if he doesn’t get some real help.

 

[NuxFan09]

The article suggests that his mental health was detiorating as a result of consuccion related CTE.

What a terrible view of addicts/addiction though.

It's really not. We as a society have gone way too far in making addicts out to be victims and a lot of those addicts have taken this and ran with it. Trust me, I'm living this situation right now with someone in my family. A huge part of the problem is the entitlement and victim complex lots of addicts feel due to the sob story angle society has put on it. It's gross.

Mental health is a completely different story.