Reporters Cash In On Todd Bertuzzi

Kevin Terlesky — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:46:13 -0400

How did I become a Bertuzzi defender? I wasn't really a huge fan when he played in Vancouver. I didn't buy his sweater or hang posters of him on the wall. I didn't bore my buddies at work during coffee about how great he played in the game last night.

It just seems unsportsmanlike for reporters to continually slip subtle but incredibly misleading statements in about Bertuzzi in their articles.

Yet, what sports reporters write is pretty harmless, right?

Here is a paragraph from the National Post:

Flames divided on acquisition of Bertuzzi

Vicki Hall, Canwest News Service

Published: Tuesday, October 07, 2008

"In visiting cities across the NHL, Bertuzzi, 33, is booed every time he touches the puck. Those boos reached deafening levels in the Pengrowth Saddledome in recent years, especially after Bertuzzi broke Colorado rookie Steve Moore's neck with a sucker punch in March 2004."

99% of you should pick it up, but let me translate the statement.

"Starting in his rookie year, Bertuzzi has always been scum of the NHL. Calgary fans hated him so much they booed him every time he touched the puck. Years later when he really did do something stupid, they were justified for their hatred."

Todd Bertuzzi: Who Didn't Cast The First Stone?

Kevin Terlesky — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:39:42 -0400

Todd Bertuzzi and Dany Heatley were both involved in tragic events during the course of the same Hockey Season. They were very different events, one was on the ice and one was off the ice. However, both had the potential to stay with the player for a very long time. Years later, why is the view of the two players by fans and media so opposite? This author believes there are two main reasons for this. First, the view of whether the incident was an accident. Second, the response of the victims of the tragedy.

Sept. 29^th, 2003 Dan Snyder was killed in a car accident while Dany Heatley was behind the wheel. An absolutely tragic event that I am sure Heatley would give anything to reverse. Snyder's parents saw to it that charges were minimal against Heatley and publicly forgave him.

March 8^th, 2004 Todd Bertuzzi punched Steve Moore on the side of the helmet to initiate a Hockey fight, and unknowingly knocked Moore out. He pushed the unconscious Moore forward, who was unable to protect himself from the fall. Still ready for the fight, Bertuzzi rode Moore into the ice, followed by several of Steve’s teammates who piled on the both of them.

Unlike Dany Heatley, no one forgave Bertuzzi. With the help of slow motion and the knowledge of the severity of Moore’s injuries, Bertuzzi was made out to be a monster. Moore would not forgive Bertuzzi, and would not allow Bertuzzi to apologize to him. It seems that Moore has done everything in his power to keep the issue alive and deny Bertuzzi closure. The affect on Moore’s career and his life are undeniable, but his conduct is less than admirable.

Bertuzzi does have a mean and rough look. He hasn’t helped himself by the way he responds to the press. It is so easy to judge this picture.

Yet, is this an accurate reflection of Tod Bertuzzi’s true character? Anyone who saw him play on a regular basis would say not. Bertuzzi was a Power Forward but not the team tough guy who was regularly asked to drop the gloves. March 8^th, 2008, was out of character for Bertuzzi and he let the team and his own emotions get the best of him.

The 6’3”, 245 pound athlete obviously didn’t know is own strength. And no one in the arena knew that Moore was knocked out until it was all over and the stretcher was on the ice. Slow motion replays were required from the opposite side of Bertuzzi’s vantage point to figure out exactly what happened.

Dan Snyder rest in peace, I am sure that no one thinks of you more than Dany Heatley. Moore suffered the force of a fatal car accident and survived. As for Bertuzzi, maybe he can build something with the pile of stones.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Kevin Terlesky

Reporters Cash In On Todd Bertuzzi

Flames divided on acquisition of Bertuzzi

Todd Bertuzzi: Who Didn't Cast The First Stone?