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The Fight They Couldn’t Win – GSH Enforcer Charity Tribute Shirt
Blog — By Ger McNamee on September 1, 2011 7:59 AM
I woke up early this morning unable to sleep – the thought of last night’s news of another hockey enforcer who has tragically died in the prime of his life was weighing heavy on my mind. At 5am, I got in my truck and drove to the Gongshow headquarters to try and make some sense of the untimely deaths this summer of NHL tough guys Derek Boogard, Rick Rypien, and now Wade Belak.
What is going on in the hockey world I asked myself?
You see, the thing with hockey players is that we are a very tight knit group. I have always thought of the hockey world as not much different then a ecosystem – we all rely on each other to continue to grow the sport and pass on the traditions to future generations. Ask anyone who has played the game how easy it is to throw out a few teams you played for or name some buddies that play, and within a few minutes you will likely have a mutual buddy or two. That’s what makes this game special, and that’s what makes everyone so inter-connected – and ultimately I think why the NHL deaths of three fighters this summer really affected everyone in the hockey community – not just those that knew these players personally.
I know it really made me ask questions like why, how, and what does it mean? But in the end, there are no answers as we can never truly know what another human is thinking inside – but there are things we can do to try and avoid such losses in the future.
Back when Craiger (GSH co-founder Craig Kennedy) and I were playing Junior “A” together in the C.J.H.L in Canada, we had a team mate our rookie year that had signed a full scholarship to the US for the following season – he was a great guy, one of the best players in the league, ladies loved him and he was a great locker room guy- he seemed like had the world by the tail. Tragically, the following season we received news that while home on Christmas break, he had taken his own life. I remember being so confused; at 16 I had never really lost anyone that I knew – especially not that way. But the team pulled together, and we remembered him the way he would want us to remember him – full of life and on top of the world. Thinking back now, maybe the hockey world should have put more programs in place after a death like that, to try and save future lives – hind sight is 20-20 I know, but what is stopping us from making changes now?
I believe we should put some safety nets in place to try and catch some of the inner demons that swirl around some players in our sport – from the NHL all the way down to minor hockey. I think it has to start with the NHL in being the leader and making some moves in the next few weeks to put in place programs that follow up with it’s players current and retired and see if they can catch some of these issues before they end up tragically, like we have seen this summer. After the NHL, all leagues should look at putting programs in place to help our players and the hockey world to better cope – to be stronger inside, not just on the outside and to give players a outlet to talk about these things before it’s too late.
As hockey players, we always put on a “tough” face and it’s considered taboo to talk about serious issues one may be facing inside. This has to change. Think about it, we are best friends on and off the ice – if someone cheap shots your D partner in a game, your the first one in the play to protect him – you have his back right? So why don’t we help out our friends and team mates when they need us the most? The next time a team mate tells you he’s feeling kind of down lately (while sitting beside him on a bus after a game) – don’t go tell your team mates so you they chirp him about being “depressed etc”. Ask him what’s up, let him know that you have his/her back on the ice and off the ice. Hockey players are good people – there is no shame in helping each other out when we’re going through a bad time – be there for your team mates for matters like this and they will be there for you one day when you need them the most- let’s work on this in the hockey world, together as a team.
With the deaths this summer, we had alot of requests for a tribute shirt or hat from Gongshow for charity to remember the fighters we lost this summer and raise money for a good cause. I decided when I woke up this morning that although we are a small company in the grand spectrum, we feel like we play a big part of the hockey world – and we want to continue to give back and influence it positively – as the game has given us so much over the years.
Therefore, please see the link below to a limited edition t- shirt (roughly 250 ) we call “Drop’em” which features two fighters squared off on the front of the shirt – for every shirt sold of this style online until it’s sold out, Gongshow will donate 25$ to a charity (to be announced) that positively helps the hockey world fight these issues now and in the future. We would like you to help us find the best charity to support for this cause (please leave a comment below). We will keep you updated with how much money we raise and make a announcement when we donate the cash to the cause ( we need your help in choosing the proper charity so please do leave suggestions!).
The shirt can be purchased online in the USA and Canada here and we will make the donation on your behalf once all shirts are sold out: http://www.gongshowgear.com/canada/products/dropem.html (this is the Canada store link, click the USA flag to switch if in the United States)
Our sympathies to the family of Wade Belak , Derek Boogard, Rick Rypien and all the other players who have lost similar battles – this was the fight of their life that they couldn’t win – but we do have a chance to honor them and save future lives so lets do it Gongers – thanks for taking the time to read this and helping make a difference in the hockey world. If you have a story you want to share about someone you lost in the hockey world, please share it in the comments.
About Ger McNamee
One of the GSH Boys who co-founded Gongshow Gear , a Lifestyle Hockey Apparel company (http://www.GongshowGear.com)back in 2002 with two junior hockey team mates, and now acts as President of the company Macker along with the GSH Team is on a mission to spread the hockey lifestyle to all ends of the earth, believing that it is truly the best sport in the world on and off the ice. You can follow him on Twitter here http://www.twitter.com/gongshowgear
140 Comments
you guys are great ill be sure to purchase a shirt or at least donate something to that charity. the lifestyle.
sad day, sadder that this needs to happen to make something happen with the nhl
he was a great player he will be dearly missed everyone should donate
wish I had had the money to pick up one of these tees, can’t wait til my next paycheck
donations will of course be made
definitely buying
Just picked up the drop em tee now. Unreal of you guys to donate $25 to a charity. So sad about all the beauties passing away
ill be sure to pick up one
RIP
Done and done no questions asked bro, I’ll pass this along to all my boys and girls here in the states and beyond.
that is a great idea. i will be sure ti go order one of these shirts as soon as i can!
Good move boys
classy move boys
unreal move by you beauties
I think one of the charities you should look at donating to is the Archie Courtnall Centre, it was started by the Courtnall brothers (Russ, Geoff and Bruce) a few years ago in honour of their father who committed suicide due to depression, it may not be specifically for hockey players, but it was started by two men (and their brother) that had careers in the show in honour of their father, and maybe it’ll help start a foundation for mental health in the NHL..
il buy one right now
i will make sure that i get one
What a gem
Belak was a true beauty! RIP
Youngblood is my #3 hockey movie. Still put SlapShot #1. Always.
And my comment posted in the wrong blog entry. Figures.
Post the shirt. We’ll support the cause. You guys are doing it right.
pure class boys
Great message, Macker, I think a lot of people have wanted to say something like this for a long time, and glad you had the courage to do it.
May the fallen rest in peace.
pick one up for sure, show some support for these beauties
Great post here Mac, well said and such a class act move here on GSH’s part. Another reason why hockey players are the most legit, genuine people on earth.
Just picked mine up. It really is true that hockey players are in a different class when it comes to athlete’s. It’s really nice to see the hockey community come together in times like this
Such a shame…excellent post and just ordered one for my son. RIP
classy
Just placed my order now. This was a great post.
i’ll pick one up
This is the Summer everybody will want to forget.
great idea boys. the hockey world has to come together right now.
Very classy move, way to go boys.
GSH is unreal. Best company out there
great player, great post, great shirt.
classy fellas
Class Act Lads, I will be purchasing.
way to go boys. everyone should post this in FB, retweet on twitter, tag gongshow and the #NHL. lets spread the word
You can mark me down for one.
Very sad summer for the hockey world RIP Wade.
i gotta get me one of those shirts for sure.. put me down
if you guys werent the biggest beautys out there before this sure cements your rank
im definetly getting one of these. not only are these shirts wild, but its for a great cause
need to get one of thoes
Sad to see all these deaths, too many, too young. Wish the NHL would fight to protect them, as hard as the players fight on the ice.
i’ll be picking up a shirt soon.
thanks for doing this gongers!
Great article, consider the shirt ordered
good job boys! all charites are deserving
I ll be pickin one up boys!
Rip to those 3 beauts. Gongshow, class move fellas! Love to see hockey players taking care of their own. Love that you guys are doing that.
gotta get my hands on one of them
class act as always boys, put me down for one.
amazing blog mac, simply a class act. Team-mates are brothers, and always have each other’s backs, no matter what. When somerthing like this comesa along, thats when you truely find out who those boys are that will always be there. Whatever demons people are fighting, it always helps to talk them out with a close brother, because it can save your life
I also lost a team-mate 3 years ago, it was tough walking into the dressing room and seeing his stall empty, you get that sick feeling inside. Thats when you you and your team get through the tough times together, wheither it’s a beer in the honour of a fallen team mate, or just the great stories about them
Great Gesture Lads
RIP
This post describes the lifestyle to a ‘T’! Gotta love the lifestyle boys.
R.I.P…
You boys really do represent the life style. Good on you, boys.
RIP
classy RIP
Classy move boys. Thanks for doing this. If more people had the guts to speak up and talk about the real issues we would all be better off.
another dark day for the hockey family… keep your chins up boys.
Wheel, Snipe, Rock the shirt.
another one bites the dust..
Rest in peace big guy
I’ll be ordering 1
cool video and just a classy move by gongshow. shows the world how much they care about hockey and theyre not just in it for a profit. they love the game and everything about it and are just spreading the lifestyle. thanks boys
back in 2009 right after my freshman year, one of my boys that i played with was getting kicked out of the school. he couldnt handle it and committed suicide too. he was one of the best guys to be around, always there for you and always putting a smile on your face. everytime this has happened this summer, it reminds me of him. we all need to come together here boys, hockey players are one of a kind people and i can almost guarantee you havent come across one you wouldnt wanna be buds with. we have to help eachother out here, come together as a group of unreal beauties and keep anything like this from happening, especially on your own team. lets just help eachother out here boys
cant believe these beauties are gone, ill take a tee for sure
Those shirts are sick, and there going to a good cause.. Getting one for sure boys
well said, RIP boys, the ice is fine up there…
RIP Belak, the league needs to look at the mental health of the players. they sure look at pointless crap enough, try something that may help
classy lads
RIP to these beauts! i bought a shirt yesterday, great move again boys, classy
RIP great cause guys
Good job boys i am for sure getting one
RIP boys, hopefully it will stop here.. 3 losses over the summer is more than enough!
Ger filthy article!
well said
from bruisers to danglers.. gongshow is worn by the best!
Great job guys,
great idea to donate
will be picking up a t, donating is a solid idea. rip beauts
bunch of beauties
Classy move boys!
Cant wait to wear the shirt and support the cause
great article. brought a tear to my eye, beautiful of you guys to donate so much love ya guys
rip boys your greatly missed
Ordering this beauty shirt tomorrow morning.
Idea for a donation: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
You guys are unreal
RIP Boogeyman, Ryper and now Belak
RIP to our enforcers we lost this summer. Gone but never will be forgotten
Theo Fleury mentioned something about “Dignity After Hockey”
also saw somebody mention “make my day monday”
Rest in Peace boys, the hockey worlds gunna miss you boys
whole new feeling when i pull on this tee, now it’s not just about looking good, it’s about remember the true beauties that make our sport the best, Grinders > Superstars
gotta get myself one of these for sure.
Good Job guys!! gotta get one
these guys are just beauts, same for the tees and just a classy cause
Class boys, class
sad
A very classy move by a classy company….I will be sure to tell my team to keep buying your goods
great move guys. Let us all know when we can purchase these tee’s.
Just goes to show that hockey players are some of the classiest guys off the ice. Lots of respect for you Gongshow lads
Great move Gonshow guys, you are a classy company!
let me know when these drop. ill get 2
nice
i’d get one
classy… http://hockeyplayersunion.com
really good post, and really true
good read
very nice
I gotta get these digs. Beautiful.
great cause
classiest move by u guys yet
i love this boyys
great move going to get one
well done gents
clssy move gents
excellent movie boys
great job
Sick
funny
Sick
good read
Classy move nice to see the guys giving back! Keep up the work boys
great job
met wader a few years back, just such a gem!
thats good helping charity
checking through old GSH posts, came across this one. still missing all three of these guys RIP
good job guys
sweet
Unreal
good job guys!
excellent job folks!
RIP
Unreal
class act by gongshow
sick
Sick
its a damn shame. RIP to those who we have all lost.
nice stuff
wish i got my hands on of of those shirts!