SI on Brian and Brendan Burke

by mf37 on Feb 25, 2010 12:06 PM EST

Michael Farber pens a powerful piece about Brian Burke, Brendan and the Olympics. It's a very sad article, but really worth a read.

Barely a week after his son Brendan died in a car crash, Maple Leafs G.M. Brian Burke was in Vancouver keeping his commitment to the U.S. team he forged—and vowing to champion gay rights in Brendan's memory.

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Absolutely heartbreaking.

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by Chemmy on Feb 25, 2010 12:41 PM EST reply actions

What an excellently written article.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Feb 25, 2010 12:54 PM EST reply actions

Where did all this dust and ragweed come from, its making my eyes well up

Fairweather fans can go to hell

by leafer1984 on Feb 25, 2010 1:02 PM EST reply actions

No, no. I have something manly stuck in my eye. Like…a gun. Maybe a laser.

by Bower Power on Feb 25, 2010 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

here, look its a chicken wing

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Feb 25, 2010 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

Do Not

Read this at work…

Wendel Killer Joseph

by MapleLeafMole on Feb 25, 2010 1:48 PM EST reply actions

Amazing article.

Brad Stowe
Maple Leafs Hot Stove

by RepressedOptimism on Feb 25, 2010 1:54 PM EST reply actions

It was a really good article…you might need some paper towels near by

Wendel Killer Joseph

by MapleLeafMole on Feb 25, 2010 1:59 PM EST reply actions

After a hockey writer had quadruple bypass surgery in 2002, Burke sent him a bookstore gift certificate with the note, “I wasn’t aware sportswriters had hearts.”

On a lighter note.. Burke is a funny guy.

by Army13 on Feb 25, 2010 2:00 PM EST reply actions

wow… great article… i lost my brother a few years back and seeing how Burke is dealing with the passing of his son is nothing short of impressive. what a great family man and community leader.

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by kessticle on Feb 25, 2010 3:04 PM EST reply actions

frankly

what impresses me the most is that Brendan made him suck up his pride and reconcile with Lowe.
I hope Burke keeps that sort of thing up.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Feb 25, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

the part about the plane ride is heartbreaking
Burke is more man than I can ever hope to be

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Feb 25, 2010 3:18 PM EST reply actions

I have been thinking about this. It is tragic for the Burke family, but for Brian it is great that he accepted Brendan and did not do or say anything that he surely would have regretted after his sons passing. He can have peace knowing he supported and will continue to support his son and his son’s cause.

by Army13 on Feb 25, 2010 3:23 PM EST reply actions

I cry. Every time.

As per new community rules; all signature tags on PPP must contain the word "truculent".

(843): the red head has a bf
(1-843): just because there's a goalie doesn't mean u can't score

by Wrap Around Curl on Feb 25, 2010 4:51 PM EST reply actions

Me too.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer

by article1 on Feb 26, 2010 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

Heart-wrending. Burke got a warm ovation from the Vancouver fans at the U.S./Norway game last Saturday; considering how the average Vancouver fan feels about Brian Burke it was a pretty telling gesture.

As an aside, Michael Farber’s such a better writer when he’s not trying so desperately hard to show everyone how clever he is.

by NWOntario on Feb 25, 2010 9:42 PM EST reply actions

Heart wrenching story of a classy classy man and his family. Mr. Brian Burke is a great man and am so happy to have him as our GM. We are blessed.

Good story by Farber. Been following his journalistic career since he was a young star with the Montreal Gazette along with Al Strachan many years ago. Superb writers although they are flawed as all human beings are.

“Didn’t know sportswriters had hearts” a classic line. Love it. God bless Brendan, Brian and family.

by Pyramid Power on Feb 26, 2010 1:30 AM EST reply actions

I can’t help but cry, especially at the last line.

Brendan Burke would have broken down many barriers if he were still alive, but those barriers will not remain standing because Brian Burke will break them on his son’s behalf.

Great man. Great article.

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on Feb 26, 2010 10:38 AM EST reply actions