Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Nicole Tracey
"I've got this chance, and I need to look at it as an opportunity to show everybody that I can change my approach, that I can play within the rules. The rest of my career can be proving that it's possible to change. It has to be about that. There's no excuse for it not to be about that."
Rob Rossi recently posted a very moving article interviewing Matt Cooke and his lovely wife Michelle. In this interview Matt and Michelle talked about Matt's efforts to "change" his game, his hitting game that is.
With Cooke's rap sheet it may be hard for some fans to believe he's really committed to this change but what gives us any reason not to? Cooke has openly admitted what he has done in past, acknowledged it was wrong and is working to eliminate his "dirty" hits. His end of the season interview seemed pretty convincing, enough to win me over, but there is still a lot of skepticism amongst fans. Some even wanting Matt off the team!
But Rob Rossi's piece allows us to see what was really going on and it's hard not to cut the guy some slack. A little at that. Some where along the line of our lives we were faced or will have to face some pretty difficult situations, if it be regarding our family, loved ones, or something important. I myself just faced one those situations and know how my mood, emotions and demeanor changed. Although Matt said, "I don't use (Michelle's health) as an excuse for anything that happened last season...I'm responsible for my actions out there." There's no doubt his home situation had some affect. He's human, it happens to everyone.
Some may treat this as another "New Year's Resolution", but I'm willing to place my bets on Cookie's word.
You know the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks"? Well this isn't just any "dog". He is a NHL veteran, who is a loving father and husband, so why not give him another chance?
With Cooke's rap sheet it may be hard for some fans to believe he's really committed to this change but what gives us any reason not to? Cooke has openly admitted what he has done in past, acknowledged it was wrong and is working to eliminate his "dirty" hits. His end of the season interview seemed pretty convincing, enough to win me over, but there is still a lot of skepticism amongst fans. Some even wanting Matt off the team!
But Rob Rossi's piece allows us to see what was really going on and it's hard not to cut the guy some slack. A little at that. Some where along the line of our lives we were faced or will have to face some pretty difficult situations, if it be regarding our family, loved ones, or something important. I myself just faced one those situations and know how my mood, emotions and demeanor changed. Although Matt said, "I don't use (Michelle's health) as an excuse for anything that happened last season...I'm responsible for my actions out there." There's no doubt his home situation had some affect. He's human, it happens to everyone.
Some may treat this as another "New Year's Resolution", but I'm willing to place my bets on Cookie's word.
You know the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks"? Well this isn't just any "dog". He is a NHL veteran, who is a loving father and husband, so why not give him another chance?
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