SW death Calgary radio personality

[keratosis]

I mean, the guy isn't even buried yet.
How hard up is this tool for readership anyway.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Eric Francis on the radio described him as a alcoholic every story about how he needed a beer. 8 am or even in the hospital. He could have come up with something better.

When is one of his employers going to get the stones to finally can this guy and rid Calgary airwaves and newspapers of his mean spirited, blowhard attitude? Completely inappropriate comments in light of this tragedy.

[EVERLAST]

Francis saying someone else had/has a drinking problem ......pot meet kettle....

Eric do you remember the sports pub you used to host Monday night football?? you were hammered before halftime every week and could barely speak ...man you are a putz

Billy Powers WILL be missed.....terrible, tragic news.

He used to coach the Flames and Flames alumni sloppitch teams in teh mid to late 80's.

There will likely be a large wake at Peanuts Pub next week

[pylon]

Ok, before this gets blown out of proportion, what exactly did francis say? Was it just a couple humorous jabs like you'd make about a buddy, or did he out and out say this guy was a raging alcoholic? I get that everyone hates "my mommy got me a job Francis." as do I. But is this being taken way out of context?

I couldn't even begin to imagine the stories of debauchery and irresponsibility that would be told by my buddies if I kicked the bucket, and I would want them to... maybe this is kinda like that?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by pylon

Ok, before this gets blown out of proportion, what exactly did francis say? Was it just a couple humorous jabs like you'd make about a buddy, or did he out and out say this guy was a raging alcoholic? I get that everyone hates "my mommy got me a job Francis." as do I. But is this being taken way out of context?

I couldn't even begin to imagine the stories of debauchery and irresponsibility that would be told by my buddies if I kicked the bucket, and I would want them to... maybe this is kinda like that?

It was fairly sweet in context. He talked about visiting Billy in the hospital and sneaking him in some beers, and talked about how he'd have a cold Canadian waiting for him at the Dome in a red plastic cup which he'd carry around while the rest of the media was conducting interviews.

The underlying message is that the dude may be an alcoholic, but he was pretty beloved by most who knew him.

It was a bit weird, but there isn't really a playbook for what to say on radio when a friend is murdered.

[keratosis]

Maybe keep your trap closed would have been the way to go.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

It was fairly sweet in context. He talked about visiting Billy in the hospital and sneaking him in some beers, and talked about how he'd have a cold Canadian waiting for him at the Dome in a red plastic cup which he'd carry around while the rest of the media was conducting interviews.

The underlying message is that the dude may be an alcoholic, but he was pretty beloved by most who knew him.

It was a bit weird, but there isn't really a playbook for what to say on radio when a friend is murdered.

So in other words, people took it way out of context, and and are using this as an opportunity to bash Francis. I am all for bashing Francis where it is deserved, but this sounds like a game of telephone gone wrong.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by keratosis

Maybe keep your trap closed would have been the way to go.

Or maybe recount some fond memories of your friend to share with others who may not have known him.

This probably isn't about you.

[PeteLFan]

It may have been trying to be sweet, but discussing a guy that needed beers at 8am seems stupid at this time. He would always add in how he needed beers, I didn't take it out of context if you heard him it would sound like he was describing a alcoholic. Talking about someone drinking on job? Not cool.

[keratosis]

He's a tool and always will be.
Not going to waste any more energy on him.

[Rhettzky]

I don't know. I listened to it on my ride home and it sounded like Francis was just telling a few stories about the guy. The one was about how Powers spent six days in the hospital and his wife said he was upset because he wasn't able to have a beer. So Francis smuggled him 4 Canadians and he broke a huge smile. Then talked about how beloved he was by the Stamps that they would have a pint in a red cup waiting for him at 9am for the media circles. All sounded heart felt to me.

[PeteLFan]

Was the killer really naked when they found him.?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I don't know. I listened to it on my ride home and it sounded like Francis was just telling a few stories about the guy. The one was about how Powers spent six days in the hospital and his wife said he was upset because he wasn't able to have a beer. So Francis smuggled him 4 Canadians and he broke a huge smile. Then talked about how beloved he was by the Stamps that they would have a pint in a red cup waiting for him at 9am for the media circles. All sounded heart felt to me.

Yep, I really dislike Eric Francis because of the ****disturber he is with the Flames. Always trying to create friction between fans and star players and doing his best to create controversy, but this thread just reeks of people hating Francis, seeing one person's account of supposed poor taste words and then going off on him and acting like he stepped way out of line.

[Flabbibulin]

While the francis comments about him always having a beer in his hand might have come across as a little odd to some, it is clear that Francis was close friends with the guy and wasn't implying anything negative.

I plan on spending my retirement with a beer in each hand.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Yep, I really dislike Eric Francis because of the ****disturber he is with the Flames. Always trying to create friction between fans and star players and doing his best to create controversy, but this thread just reeks of people hating Francis, seeing one person's account of supposed poor taste words and then going off on him and acting like he stepped way out of line.

It says something about Francis that it was so easily believable, however.

But yes, based on a couple pics Francis posted on Twitter, he wasn't intending anything malicious when talking about Powers.

[prarieboy]

^^^

Let's move on then.

RIP

[Deelow]

Nice tribute on QR right now.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Yep, I really dislike Eric Francis because of the ****disturber he is with the Flames. Always trying to create friction between fans and star players and doing his best to create controversy, but this thread just reeks of people hating Francis, seeing one person's account of supposed poor taste words and then going off on him and acting like he stepped way out of line.

Holy white knight. If there was ever a media member that didn't deserve the benefit of the doubt it's Francis. I can't count how many times over the years he's used the words "joke" in describing something the Flames or Stamps have done.

Maybe the poster here poorly translated his comments but at the end of the day Francis dug this hole himself.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Deelow

Nice tribute on QR right now.

Very nice tribute... and everyone seems to talk about his love of beer.

What a bunch of dicks.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Holy white knight. If there was ever a media member that didn't deserve the benefit of the doubt it's Francis.

I heard about 20 minutes of this tribute they're doing on QR and they're pretty much letting people that knew him call in and tell their stories. Pretty much all of them are starting with how funny Billy Powers was, always had a joke, and loved to have a beer. Even Ken King mentioned that he's had beers with Bill Powers quite a few times.

So I know it's easy to dislike Francis, and I pretty much agree with all you guys, but this just isn't the thread. You're jumping on one guy for saying the same thing everyone is saying. I think it was misunderstood by the poster that said it originally, and now I think it's been cleared up, so just drop it.