About That Sport Chek Incident...

Okay. On Tuesday, I told you about a letter that someone had written to Yahoo! Sports Mailbag (← read paragraphs 3 and 4 to get yourself up-to-speed if necessary) about Sidney not acknowledging fans waiting outside the Mississauga Sport Chek when he held a press conference for his RbK SC87 clothing line. Well, that story actually is 100% fact. I put a call out to anyone who had been there to come forward with his or her story, and I got a response from a familiar Friend. It turns out that Eric B. of The Sidney Crosby Spotlight was there, and he sent me his story and some pictures.

This is a picture Eric took during the press conference...

...and this is the picture released to the media.

Here is his account of what went down:

I wanted to let you know that the comment about Sidney ditching the fans after his press conference at Sport Chek for the SC87 line is all true. I am assuming he was in a rush or on a schedule. I waited with my daughter and wife near his SUV in the cold rain.

Fans wait for Sidney outside in the rain.

He didn't even look at anyone or wave or nothing. That was disappointing. However, I have never posted this [on The Sidney Crosby Spotlight] because I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. I really do wish he would have said hi at least. Instead he jumped into the back seat through the back of the car and we only saw him for one second.

The SUV backs up to the door...

...and Sidney gets into the SUV through the back and is whisked away.

I totally understand he may have been on a tight schedule or having a bad day. I also didn't mention there were security guards everywhere... the guys dressed in beige jackets. The seemed to be rushing him too. Maybe Reebok hired them or something and didn't want anything to happen to him while working for them, so they could of rushed him to avoid anything like that. The only thing that disappointed me was he didn't even stop for a second to wave or let us snap a picture. One nice picture that I took myself would of made my day... and of course talking to him or getting an autograph would have been the ultimate.

While I am sorry to hear that these fans were unable to see Sidney, I stand by my statements from Tuesday's post: "Where is it written in stone that athletes and other celebrities owe any one of us anything, whether it be an autograph or even just an acknowledgment? Sure, it's always nice when they do this, but it is done as a courtesy - it is not mandatory. Haven't you ever had a bad day and just wanted to do your job and then just go home and not be bothered?"

Sid's only human, and EVERYONE has his or her off days. In addition to my theory of Sid having had a bad day, Eric made a two additional suggestions, either of which would make perfect sense. Sid's pretty popular these days, so it's reasonable to assume that his schedule may not have afforded him the time to stop and chat with these fans. Perhaps he thought if he couldn't speak with and sign autographs for everyone, then he wasn't going to speak with and sign autographs for anyone. And it's equally as logical to believe that the store's security detail would not allow him to mingle with the fans.

And as I said before, according to everything else I've heard, Sid is usually quite cordial with fans. In fact, a fellow named Greg left the following comment for us on Tuesday's post:

I grew up in the same town as Sid and have had the opportunity to meet him a couple times, once at a commercial shoot and another more relaxed environment, and both times he was more than accommodating to anyone around. Despite being such a public figure he was more than willing to give what little free time he had/has to make everyone feel comfortable.

This example is more in line with other stories I've heard from fans who have met Sidney. It certainly sounds like the Sport Chek blowoff was an isolated incident. Bottom line: Despite the piles and piles of money I throw at the Penguins organization each year, not one of those players owes me anything. Yes, those dollars I spend (and the dollars of others, of course) are obviously used to pay the players' exorbitant salaries. And obviously I wouldn't mind meeting Sid, chatting with him, and getting his autograph to hang beside my husband's Mario Lemieux autographed jersey. BUT when I get my merchandise (jerseys, DVDs, etc.) or once I've watched the game, I've already received my money's worth. I get exactly what I paid for, and nothing more is owed to me.

Now I'm going to turn this discussion over to you guys. Have any of you met Sid? Has he blown anyone else off? Do you just want to give us your opinion? Leave a comment and tell us about it. I'm very interested in hearing your thoughts. :)

The Penguins take on the Senators at the Mellon Arena tonight. GO PENS!!!

Sid Vids

There's not a lot of Sid news. There's not a lot of Penguins news. There's not a lot of hockey news right now, for that matter - unless you care that some jerk and his Hollywood girlfriend broke up, or that some teen queen is dating again, or that some celebrity-wannabe married the all-time American-born goal scoring leader - so I went trolling through YouTube again to try to find some videos to help you pass the time. (BTW, you do realize that this final month before the season begins is going to be the longest month of our lives, right? Ha ha, it will be at least until September 2008, anyways...) Anyhoo, I found two really good ones for you.

Okay, first up, I finally found a video from that RbK SC87 press conference! It's a bit strange to watch because the words being spoken don't match up with Sid's mouth at all (you'll see what I mean), but it's a good watch anyways. And yes, those horrible I ♥ Crosby shirts are featured prominently in this video... (>_<)

Next up, I found this video of Sidney's surprise visit with the Penguins' summer hockey camp kids. The quality isn't the best, but it gives us a glimpse of Saint Sid at his best. Personally, my favorite part is at the very end of the video, when the kids thank the Saint for his time with their sticks. :)

As Promised: Sid's Next Question

I got lots of assists with today's post...

First up, Friend of TSCS Erin C. from BigBenNews found this much larger image of Saint Sid with the two models from the unveiling of the RbK SC87 fashion line. She spotted it on "Caught in the Act" on SportsIllustrated.com. You can really see the detail in this picture - like the "I ♥ Crosby" graphic written in PINK on the t-shirt on the girl on the right. Blech.

SI.com caption: Sidney Crosby has a good time introducing his new line of clothing earlier this week.

Next, in a "great minds think alike" moment, friends of TSCS Lana M. and Adrienne F. found this video of an almost 19 year old Sidney playing the "Next Question" game on TSN's Off the Record. Lana mentioned this appearance in a comment under the In Case You Missed It post. She correctly stated that Sid appears to be at his most candid in this clip. Both she and Adrienne came through for us and located the clip:

One can only speculate as to what Sid's advice for "Grapes" ( ← what a suit) would have been. My guess? "F*** Off!"

Courtesy of Kukla's Korner by way of Empty Netters, Sid will be switching to a different hockey stick manufacturer this year. His Sher-Wood endorsement contract will be expiring soon, and - wait for it - Reebok has scored yet another endorsement from the 20 year old center. He'll be using an RbK stick this season, which effectively ensures that everything that Sid uses and/or puts on or near his body on the ice and off will be a Reebok product.

Friend of TSCS (and contributor of the winning nickname!) Christopher L. sent in a link to vote for the best logo in the NHL. Right now, our beloved skating penguin is facing off against the Canadiens, um, letters? Chris had the following to say about it: "The mighty Penguin is a lot cooler than some stupid letters ... and H for Hockey? DUH?!?!?" So get over there and vote for our logo!!! And hurry - the Penguins are behind and voting closes 11:59 p.m. September 4th!!!

And finally, here's a bit of Sidney gossip I found that's coming to you from The Suburban.com, an English language Quebec newspaper:

Crosby and the leggy blond: National Hockey League superstar Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Ryan Malone and Ryan Whitney were spotted having a jolly good time very recently a the popular W Hotel bar downtown. According to my sources, a couple of attractive young patrons of the bar, the hockey players were in town for a golf tournament. Crosby, who has yet to turn 20, was apparently very quiet and shy. The three teammates drank vodka at their table and had young females falling at their feet. “There was a tall leggy blonde really coming on strong to Crosby,” said one of my sources, a 24 year-old graduate student. “He seemed very uncomfortable over the whole thing.” Crosby recently signed a $43 million five-year extension to his original three year pact. In 2008-09 he will collect a $9 million paycheque. I assume the leggy blonde was aware of that.

Malone was just married this spring, so I wonder if he was just as "uncomfortable over the whole thing" as Sid was. And did any of you care whether or not the sources were attractive and young? Regardless, I'll just let you all contribute your own comments about this story now... :)

More (Stupid) Advice for Sidney

I hate to rehash an old subject, but someone ELSE has yet another piece of unsolicited advice for Sidney regarding the millions he earns from his contract extension and now his RBK SC87 clothing line. This one comes from Leafs TV sportscaster Jody Vance:

Even young ladies get to join in the fun by donning the "I (heart) Crosby" tops. You must applaud the idea of a new, hip brand targeting the young hockey fan, but there is one thing missing from this marketing equation. Where is the charity element? If there is one, I can't find it.

[...]

Amid all of the organized chaos [of the fans at the September 1998 launch of The Wayne Gretzky Collection], Wayne's message was loud and clear: Part of the proceeds would go to support P.E.B.B.L.E.S. -- Providing Education By Bringing Learning Environments to Students.

[...]

For Sid, this can't be "just" about making money, can it?

We know after signing a five-year extension with the Penguins recently for a cool US$43.5 million, the 20-year-old Pittsburgh captain hardly needs the RBK revenue.

If Sid the Kid is truly tearing a page out of the PR book written by Gretzky, he needs to make sure he is giving back as he grows his brand.

Excuse me, Ms. Vance: EXACTLY WHAT BUSINESS OF THIS IS YOURS? Honestly, is Wayne Gretzky the NHL legend that Sidney should REALLY be idolizing? Personally - and I admit that I may be biased here - I think that Sid's Pittsburgh landlord is a 1,000,000 times better role model than Wayne could ever hope to be.

Sid shows us what his rank will be this season

And, Jody, I can't let this slide: SHAME ON YOU for reducing me and my fellow female Crosby fans to stereotypical, puck bunny caricatures with one sentence!!! As a female sportscaster for Leafs TV, I would think you of all people would understand how hard it is for females who are legitimate fans of the sport of hockey to overcome that particular stereotype. That you would perpetuate that cliché says more about you, ma'am, than it does about Sid's female fans.

---

Moving on... Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come (again) for you to vote for Sidney (again). This time our main man Sid is nominated in AskMen.com's top 49 to determine who voters consider to be the best representatives of the male gender. (Last year's winner was George Clooney.) To vote for Saint Sid, simply click the banner below and click the "3. Athletics" link. Also, be SURE to turn on your speakers when you check out his profile and use the slider scale below his picture - that music is priceless, especially when you click the submit button! UNREAL!!!

I'll include this link in the next couple of posts as a reminder to VOTE FOR SID!!!

Stylin' with Sidney

The RBK SC87 media event Jes told you about took place yesterday. Sidney made an appearance at at the Sport Chek in Mississauga to unveil his new fashion line to the public. Funny that reporters seemed more interested in hockey than fashion:

In hockey-mad southern Ontario, and with about a month until NHL training camps open, one suspected the conversation wouldn't stick to clothes for very long. So, while Crosby graciously answered questions about his Rbk SC87 line at Sport Chek near Square One Shopping Centre, he was inundated with queries about the upcoming season.

How deep will the Penguins go in the playoffs? Did signing an enormous contract extension in the off-season ($43.5 million over five years) and being named captain put more pressure on the youngest player to ever win a scoring title in any major North American sports league?

That is, until one of the models emerged wearing one of the new RBK SC87 items:

Usually polished and a bit reserved during interviews, Crosby, 20, answered many of the questions with humour. Case in point, when officials paraded out a young woman wearing a hot pink shirt with Crosby's logo emblazoned on it, and then a model wearing the form-fitting I Love Crosby t-shirt showed up.

"On the female side of things, I didn't have too much input on that," said Crosby, with a smile. "It was actually funny because I'd being going over some of the designs and prints with my parents talking about what's in style and what isn't."

We already addressed Sid's modeling skills, but does pink REALLY belong in a hockey clothing line?

So what is Sidney's preferred style for himself? He says he's "pretty simple and casual, and if I had my choice I'd wear sweat pants all day." And don't worry, folks - just because Saint Sid is joining the throngs of other celebrities slapping their names on the labels of your t-shirts, he's not ready to give up his day job just yet. According to Crosby, "(fashion) is something new for me, but I've enjoyed the process. I'm not going to be changing professions by any means, but I'm trying to enjoy it."