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Good morning, folks.
I find myself torn over a question posed to me this week, so I thought I would ask what you think.
I don’t currently have any inside intel on the medical condition of Jonathan Toews. But if I did, would I tell you? Should I tell you?
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In case you hadn’t heard, the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks and native of Winnipeg has not been playing hockey this season. In late December, he and the Blackhawks announced that he would not be joining the team for training camp while dealing with a medical issue and there was no timetable set for his return.
Here is part of what Toews had to say back then:
“This off-season, I’ve been experiencing symptoms that have left me feeling drained and lethargic. I am working with doctors so I can better understand my condition… I will continue to do whatever I can to get back on the ice and return to play the game I love for the team I love. I will not be making any further comment at this time and ask everyone to please respect my privacy as I focus on my health and recovery.”
Therein lies the question: how much privacy does a professional athlete deserve when it comes to their health? If a player has a lower-body injury, is it a fan’s right to know what it is? If a player is dealing with a mental health or addiction issue, should we report that if we know about it? If the condition is life-threatening, what level of transparency is warranted?
FILE – Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) plays against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, in this Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, file photo. Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews will miss the start of training camp due to an illness, and there is no timetable for his return. The 32-year-old Toews said Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, he has been experiencing symptoms that have left him feeling “drained and lethargic.” (AP Photo/David Banks, File)
There have been no clear updates on Toews’ condition since the original statement. Hence, plenty of social media rumours.
Ben Pope of the Chicago-Sun Times recently asked Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman about Toews and was told this:
“I don’t have any update on Jonathan,” Bowman said. “And when I say this, I mean it: it’s not like we have additional information that we’re holding back. All we know is he’s not ready to play right now.”
I’m skeptical that Bowman is not more in the know, but even if he does have info on what’s going on with Toews, is he compelled to tell us/you?
Jonathan Toews is not your ordinary superstar. He has won three Stanley Cups, and gold medals at two Olympics and two world juniors. He has a community centre named after him in the neighborhood I grew up in. Heck, we even named a lake after him in Manitoba.
Three times he has brought the Cup home to his friends, fans and family.
While he’s always been a Blackhawk, he’s also always been one of us.
After telling one of you this week I had no inside intel on Toews, you asked if I was going to pursue it.
Toews has family in Winnipeg. I’ve pondered whether or not we should poke around and see if we can find out what’s going on. We haven’t. And then, if we did discover details, what would be appropriate to report?
Not a chance we’re going to tell you we heard from a friend’s cousin’s girlfriend who knows a guy, blah blah. I think we can all agree there’s far too much of that in the world.
While working on this mailing Tuesday, news broke that Tiger Woods had to be extricated from the vehicle with the Jaws of Life tools after he was in a vehicle rollover in the Los Angeles area.
Early reports had all sorts of speculation on what his injuries might be.
It made me feel that I had more concern for his actual well-being rather than when I would learn what his injuries are.
Same with Toews.
As always, folks, you can reach me by replying to this mailing or by sending me an email here.
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