Few things are more inspiring than the story of an underdog in the sports world. I personally am a huge hockey fan, spending my winter breaks at MSG cheering on the New York Rangers and attending as many BC hockey games as physically possible. As a result, when I saw the Twitter hashtag #VoteJohnScott in reference to the upcoming NHL All-Star Game, I was instantly intrigued. Who is John Scott? Why have I never heard of him? Previously unknown to the hockey world, Scott has so quickly inspired sports fans nationwide and has truly represented the notion of staying true to oneself, even when you are the ultimate underdog.
John Scott simply put is not your typical NHL All-Star player. Scott is typically known in the hockey world as an “enforcer”, an unofficial role given to a player who responds to dirty plays by the opposing team with fighting. Known mainly for his towering height at 6’8” and fighting with opposing players during games, Scott has only scored 5 goals in his career of 285 games. I’ll repeat that: 5 goals in 285 games. Just for comparison, NHL-leading scorer Patrick Kane has 30 goals in 53 games this season. Despite his perhaps shortage of All-Star potential, fans rallied around him on social media, and as a result, he was rewarded a spot on the All-Star roster despite major pushback from the league. Scott has dealt with criticism, skeptical reactions from fans, fellow players, and even his NHL team and the NHL leadership itself. Most recently during this #VoteJohnScott movement by NHL fans, Scott was traded to another team and was then brought down to the minor league of the NHL, the AHL. Even in the face of criticism, trade, and demotion, he has remained true to himself and to his love of the game.
Most recently, Scott was criticized directly by the NHL and demands began to pile up for him to step down from his All-Star nomination. The NHL tried, at first, just asking him to not play. Then the Coyotes, his former team, asked him not to play. The league even tried to shame him by discussing the impact of the game his children, asking him “Do you think this is something your kids would be proud of?” Because of this disrespectful comment, Scott says, he vowed he would go to the All-Star game and make his kids proud in spite of the NHL’s ignorance and disrespect.
Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
So why should John Scott be your new role model for inspiration? Because not only did he go and play in the All-Star game, but he scored two goals and went on to win the MVP Award for the entire All-Star Game. In your face, NHL. Scott handled the entire situation with professionalism, class, and humility, and it makes him beyond likeable to sports fans around the country. Future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr spoke highly about Scott after the game, “If somebody’s very unwanted, he becomes [a] hero. That’s why I love it. There was the story. The guy was unwanted from the NHL and I think from the NHL, whatever happened today I think it’s probably [one of] the best stories to happen at All-Star Game.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.
There is nothing better than John Scott’s celly (celebration) after his goal… or the standing ovation by the crowd!
If you really want to understand how incredible John Scott is, I would highly suggest reading his first-hand account of the situation that he authored for The Tribute. Scott tastefully shuts down the criticism and negativity surrounding his nomination stating, ”Because, while I may not deserve to be an NHL All-Star, I know I deserve to be the judge of what my kids will – and won’t – be proud of me for.” Need I say more? Scott furthermore sums up the situation perfectly: “But while I don’t deserve to be an All-Star, I also don’t think I deserve to be treated like I’ve been by the league throughout this saga. I’m an NHL player – and, whatever my set of skills may be, that I’m an NHL player is no accident.”
This is the kind of athlete and person that I look up to. This is the type of role model that our generation needs: someone who demonstrates that despite criticism, negativity, and pushback, no one can take away from who you are and what you are capable of achieving. The NHL should take a long look in the mirror and truly consider how it treats its players, especially those who have given nearly 10 years of dedication and hard work to the league. The focus needs to go back to the player… talk about Scott as an inspiration, talk about the ultimate underdog, but not about the league that just had the biggest wake-up call.
Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Meet your new role model: NHL player, All-Star, and All-Star MVP John Scott.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Scott_(ice_hockey)
http://www.nhl.com/stats/player
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images, http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/02/01/465149597/john-scott-t…
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/mvp-john-scott-and-his-fans…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LX-wrg_R4M
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/a-guy-like-me/
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images, http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/01/28/john-scott-accuses-nhl-of-using-hi…