Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore
Okay, so first a story. When I was first starting out in my chosen career field, I started working for a small NGO. I really believed in what they were doing, so I chose to take significantly less money in order to work for them. When I first started there, they made it seem like my lower salary was a temporary thing until they could get on their feet. However, month after month the director would come to me and say something to the effect of "Yeah, we liked into it and still can't increase your salary. Maybe next month!"
I eventually worked myself into a full-time (paid) position, which I was in for about two years. However, after those two years there was a whole staff change up. They brought in a new director and decided not to renew my contract, even though the entire board agreed I performed above and beyond expectations in my job. Despite the loyalty I had shown to the organization, I was out of a job without anyone able to really give me a reason.
I felt completely betrayed by the organization I had sacrificed so much for.
While Wideman's situation is not perfectly similar, I don't doubt that he probably feels some amount of animosity towards the Flames, especially where this is a contract year. By benching him, they are essentially torpedoing any chance he has for a new contract next year. Is some of it on him? Of course it is, but as TextCritic has pointed out, his body is aging and simply can't do what it used to.
Now, a couple things to keep in mind as well:
1. Wideman started playing hockey in the OHL in 1999. That means for the last 18 years he has done nothing but eat, sleep and breathe hockey. His entire world has been professional hockey since he was 16 years old. He's now on the cusp of the only thing he's ever known being taken away from him.
Human beings crave purpose in life. When we feel that our lives don't matter, it can lead to all kinds of depression. Many people who retire, not just professional athletes, experience this. You suddenly find yourself with way too much time on your hands and nothing that gives your life meaning.
2. About half of all people in the world live on about $4.50 CAD a day. Which means, the vast majority of people in the world would look at the salary you make (even if make the Alberta minimum wage you're making roughly $25k) and say you're filthy rich. Now... when was the last time you had a really hard day at the office, but came home and said "Well, at least I make lots of money!" There comes a point where the money doesn't matter.
Furthermore, Dennis Wideman whether right or wrong probably believes he deserves to make as much as he's made over his career. He's one of the top 1,000 hockey players in the entire world.
Dennis Wideman probably doesn't see himself as some greedy, entitled hockey player that simply refuses to play good hockey and get trashed by fans. He probably sees himself as someone who has spent the last 20 years becoming one of the best defenceman in the world. He has dedicated himself to being the absolutely best in his field. And now, at a staggeringly quick pace, everything he's ever known is being taken away from him and the organization he's given himself to over the last five years isn't showing him any loyalty.
I'm not saying I want Wideman to get playing time, but I think we can all empathize with what he's going through right now. And if he's finding it a little hard to get motivating in practice knowing he's more than likely not getting into another NHL game ever, that's certainly understandable.
|