He was just a kid with a dream. All the preconceived notions of the decision makers were against him. Small guys have to prove they can play hockey. Big guys have to prove they can't.
So he worked. He played. He met and overcame every challenge. He worked so hard. He got so good. He landed a spot on the Moose Jaw Warriors. It was there he met Coach Graham James.
And it was while playing for Graham James that Theo Fleury's life changed. Beginning this Thursday, Theo Fleury tells his story of sexual abuse at the hands of a person Theo trusted to do nothing more or less than help him realize his dream of playing in the NHL.
Of course those of us who don't know Theo's trauma first hand will never understand how so very alone he has lived these many years. The secret he held in shame while engaging in all manner of self-destructive behavior. The public scorn he privately carried in his heart as a result.
Theo going public is part of his therapy. It's a part of his healing. And most important it is part of Theo forgiving Theo.
Maybe that's one of the hardest parts to understand. Why every victim of every child molester believes it was somehow they're fault. Such is every child's trust. And a child's precious innocence.
The self-destructive behavior is 4 years in Theo's past. And now as Theo Fleury summons the courage to forgive himself, my hope for him is that the book tour become a celebration of his courage.
For the first time in some 25 years, more than half of his life, Theo Fleury reaches for the Cup of dignity restored. Because now, for the first time in 25 years, Theo Fleury can look in the mirror and not avert his gaze in shame.
A shame he never earned or deserved.
Welcome back Theo Fleury. I hope you return to hockey in some role. Many of us would like to get to know you, for the first time.
It has been suspected for a while now and Theo now has confirmed it. A very sad story, I was never a big fan of Theo as a player but I truly wish him well as a person in his battle with his demons .......hopefully Graham James will burn in hell one day.
Posted on 10/9 11:06 AM | IP: 192.146.217.50
...with his story, it seems that Theo started to free fall....I don't think many people didn't think Theo was a victim. Its too bad that Theo didn't come out with his story a few years ago and perhaps he could have avoided all the substance abuse problems...but then, perhaps they were part of the cure...hitting rock bottom...only way to go is up, or sideways...glad he's going back up. I think its also good for a man like Theo to come out with thier story. So many young men are victims but feel that people will label them as "gay" if they're victims, and in the culture that is hockey, that black cloud is not one you want hanging over your head. I think that Mike Danton/Jefferson will be one who will come out with a story of some sort of abuse at some point in his life, I really do. I hope for all the guys involved that they are able to get the help they need, and find their peace.
Posted on 10/9 4:41 PM | IP: 67.220.46.121
I never heard anything about it until now Shark Attack. But yeah, anybody who played for James is a suspected victim.
Clint27, yer a better man than I if you have any compassion for diddlers. While doing intake at a civil rights firm I got a call that went like this:
Him: I was in jail and got beat up pretty bad.
me: How bad? Were you hospitalized?
Him: Yes and tells me some of his injuries.
me: What were you charged with?
Him: Sex with a minor.
me: How old was the minor.
Him: She was 12 and forcefully declared that he is not gay. (Like straight is somehow a redeeming virtue.)
me: I have to ask, were you gang raped?
Him: Yes.
me: How did your case turn out. Did you plead or were you found guilty?
Him: I took the plea bargain.
me: Did you plead to felony sex with a minor or was it plead down to a misdemeanor?
Him: Felony.
me: So...I have to ask, where do you think we'll find a jury that cares what happens to you?
Him: but I'm on Megan's List. I'm going to be homeless, he begged.
me: Yeah, that happens. Where do we find a jury that cares?
He was silent for a bit and hung up.
Posted on 10/9 5:17 PM | IP: 24.205.180.38
Hey Thrasher, I thought all folks that were charged with sex a minor and similar crime were put into protective custody to avoid those beatings and sush? Is that not the case anymore? In general lockup he could have easily been killed.....
Posted on 10/9 5:24 PM | IP: 69.226.74.227
yer right Shark Attack. That's the policy. Many of them still pass through general pop on their way to protective custody. If something happens during processing oh well, whoops, everybody has a bad day now and then. Too bad, so sad.
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