The Players' Tribune - Patrick O'Sullivan

[Mony]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Not meaning to pick on you, but the bolded part really picks my ass.

This is not an "unseen" issue, it's an ignored one, for a couple reasons.

First off, like I said in an earlier post, the "Not My Kid" mentality. The thoughts that well I can't say anything cause maybe the kid deserved the slap you saw. Of course if you see a slap, odds are the abusive parent is restrained and I'll leave it to you to imagine just how bad it can get when other's eyes aren't around. Another part of this mentality is "well if it was bad the kid would say something." which brings me to point two

Of course the kid is NOT going to say anything. Sure fear of repercussion is a factor, but in reality these kids don't know any better. Listen, when I was being beaten to unconciousness, being thrown down stairs, kicked in the kidneys I didn't hate my father for it. I blamed myself. I thought ALL parents did this to their kids if they were bad, slow to respond to an order, or even the tiniest bit cheeky. I honestly believed that every kid in the world knew what this form of 'punishment' felt like. I truly thought that everyone was getting this level of abuse and that it was normal. No one in my life outside of my nuclear family even had a clue how bad it was, and I never once as a kid said anything. Why would I? This is just what being a kid is, I thought.

It's not unseen, we just need to enable people to step up and more importantly give these kids a voice so they know this is wrong, and so they can scream out for help. God KNOWS I wish there had been some way for me to know.

Very true. Sorry for that Lanny, I should've phrased that better.

You're right - it is much more ignored than it is "unseen". For that I am glad that Patrick O'Sullivan and yourself are demanding more attention towards it, at the same time, a lot of people only see what they want to see - and not see what they don't want to see, vice versa. But there is nothing bad that can happen from bringing awareness to this. It can only do good.

[cannon7]

The part of the article that really struck me is that Patrick still thinks the abuse stems from his father living vicariously through him after failing to make the NHL himself. Patrick characterizes it as "twisted", which it is, but the twisted part is that he believes it. As others have posted in this thread, hockey was only the excuse for the abuse. Chances are good that his father had a father that abused him in much the same way. It is rare that there isnt a history of abuse across generations and that this is, unfortunately, learned behavior. Or perhaps more appropriate, conditioned behavior. Hopefully Patrick breaks the cycle.

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by Beatle17

When are parents going to learn this, either the kid has the ability or he doesn't.

Also this is why they have tiers in hockey...just let them have fun. If they don't have the best skill, it doesn't mean they don't love to play the game. Just let them play.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by jaikorven

Also this is why they have tiers in hockey...just let them have fun. If they don't have the best skill, it doesn't mean they don't love to play the game. Just let them play.

But how will they ever learn if they don't sit on the bench for half of the period...

[heep223]

Yes this is his real twitter account. I guess we shouldn't be surprised. Good on O'Sullivan for speaking out about all this stuff. Huge respect.

[SuperMatt18]

Just further evidence of what a POS Alex Burrows is.

[habernac]

heep, I can't see some embedded things at work, is this what you just posted?


Patrick O'Sullivan‏@realPOSULLIVAN
@TheNHLisCrazy @PuckLuck1 @BruceIsOnline @vijayk416 Burrows only guy who said he wanted to hurt me like me father did-why I can't stand him



If you didn't already think Burrows was garbage..... wow

[Street Pharmacist]

Wow

[Tyler]

I am SHOCKED. SHOCKED. Burrows would say something so cruel.

[ClubFlames]

What a piece of human garbage Burrows is. Horrible human being.

[jayswin]

Just utter human garbage. How Canucks fans can continue to defend that piece of **** is beyond me.

[SuperMatt18]

Tootoo had made mention of this in the past too, stating that Burrows had made personal comments about Tootoo's family.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/jo...him-classless/

Guy doesn't deserve to be in the NHL.

[AC]

Well, I guess we have a pretty clear understanding that Burrows is indeed capable of bringing up Tootoo's brother's suicide then.

“Burrows, when we were in the penalty box, he said some personal remarks regarding my family and it’s just unacceptable.”

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/jo...him-classless/

What human garbage.

[undercoverbrother]

https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid...tter%20threats

good

[CroFlames]

I applaud Sullivan for being open and shedding light on the topic, as well as encouraging and reminding others to speak up when they see or suspect something. Children are so vulnerable, I can't imagine abusing them. I felt so bad for him reading that article. God, how can you beat an innocent child?

T@T is an obvious moron. I'll just leave it at that.

Thanks for that tweet about Burrows by the way. I always knew he was a POS, but I'm surprised even he would stoop so low. I honestly didn't think my opinion of him could be any lower. What a disgusting human being.

[AC]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid...tter%20threats

good

Death threats? That's not good. That's equally embarrassing IMO.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by AC

Death threats? That's not good. That's equally embarrassing IMO.

With Burrows we really are getting into the reaping what he has sowed area.


The list of ignorant and stupid, even disgusting things from him isn't small. It appears to be growing.


I really struggle to feel sympathy for him.

[AC]

Oh I completely agree with that, but death threats are not acceptable directed towards anybody.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

With Burrows we really are getting into the reaping what he has sowed area.


The list of ignorant and stupid, even disgusting things from him isn't small. It appears to be growing.


I really struggle to feel sympathy for him.

Doesn't mean he or especially his family should fear for their lives. Being classless is one thing, death threats are something else entirely

[chummer]

Ray Ferraro chimes in-


Ray Ferraro Retweeted Patrick O'Sullivan
Man that crosses every possible defensible line