Timmy the Tender: Why Is Tim Thomas' Decision Good?

One of the traditional events the Stanley Cup roster that won the previous championship does, usually goes down as a side note. This time, the visit to the White House is controversial to say in the least, as Tim Thomas' decision not to go with the team for reasons that sheds a different light on athletes. 

Everyone has always known that athletes are sometimes, eccentric—to put it lightly. With Ilya Bryzgalov's short discourse on the universe on the HBO 24/7 Flyers vs. Rangers, athletes are starting to receive a different look from their fans.

Now, with Thomas' decision not to go with the team to the White House, we are experiencing a shift from seeing the athlete as a mere robot to seeing the athlete as a person.

In the past, we had countless political manifestations by athletes that went down in history. We had the Black Panthers and their salute in 1968, the Starostin brothers and the finding of the soccer team Spartak Moscow in Russia, Matthias Sindelar and his refusal to lose a match to the Nazi Germany squad, the defection from Elvir Bolic from the Yugoslavian soccer squad in Paris because he advocated for the independence of Bosnia-Herzegovina. And most recently, we have Tim Thomas.

Adding insult to injury, Tim Thomas was not the only American player on the Bruins' roster, but he also won the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is awarded to the playoff's MVP. He's only the second American player to have done so. 

Keep in mind that Tim Thomas' career hasn't been the most orthodox career one would expect. After being drafted in 1994 by the Quebec Nordiques, he played his college career for the University of Vermont, and went to Finland in 1998 to hone his craft. After seven years in Finland, he returned in the season after the lockout to the Boston Bruins—being their effective starter since 2008.

In his statement, Thomas outlines his grievances with the government and chooses an active stance about it. While he is certainly going to be seen as a villain by most NHL fans not only in America, but I venture to say, even fans from around the world and by other teams, the NHLPA and the NHL itself. What Tim Thomas has done, albeit unexpected—was actually good. 

With this statement, Thomas excludes himself from the celebrity status that being a player with his skill and his achievements guarantees him—to fight for a cause that, in the last week, has become cause célèbre among the youth of the world.

The repercussions of the SOPA and PIPA acts have been massive not only in America, but around the world. In a time where people care about what opinions the companies they buy product from, Thomas' decision is a breath of fresh air.

In recent years, as athletes' salaries have increased, they have become increasingly apolitical. Hockey, a game notable for its physical nature, was totally apolitical until recently when Sean Avery voiced his support for the LGBT cause—and now, Tim Thomas. 

Generally, it is true that society has become increasingly nonchalant towards politics. Athletes, who are part of society, have become more blasé toward these issues. Athletes, the public figures that they are—are entitled to voice their opinions and take the course of actions that they seem fit.

In the past, societies would be more vocal about their grievances. America itself was founded on this principle. What Tim Thomas did was just exercising his rights as a free citizen. His actions will spark debates and controversy, but at the end of the day—Tim Thomas was just standing up for what he believes in. He should be allowed to do so. His actions set an example that might as well be his greatest contribution to society.

General Manager Peter Chiarelli took an interesting course of action. He said that while he could've forced Thomas to be there, he didn't and that he is not going to levy any disciplinary action against last season's Conn Smythe winner. 

The Sports Network's Bob McKenzie said last night on their program That's Hockey, that the Bruins' Owner Jeremy Jacobs, was not pleased by the course taken by Tim Thomas.