PITTSBURGH - My brother, 24-year-old Lisbon resident Kyle Smith recently met Pittsburgh Penguin captain Sidney Crosby.
This event alone is one to be envied. How it happened is even more remarkable.
Many of our locals know Kyle. As a family, we don't ever go to the grocery store, the gas station, or out to dinner without running into someone who knows and warmly greets my brother. We've even been in airports, hundreds of miles away and even in another country, where we've run into people who shout from afar, "Kyle!" and then run up to give him a hug and ask how he is.
However, Sidney Crosby is not someone I would expect to stop Kyle on the street. But he did.
Sidney Crosby actually pulled up behind my family and me in the parking lot adjacent to the Consol Energy Center and asked, from his vehicle, who the young man in front of me was. I did manage, after a brief moment of awe, to introduce him to Kyle, and proceeded to ask Kyle if he knew who this man in the suit and tie was. (The two are only a year apart in age). Kyle - being Kyle - squealed with happiness and did a dance in his wheelchair in confirmation. From there, Crosby offered Kyle an autographed picture of himself, made casual conversation - asking how many games Kyle attends, where Kyle is from - and even got out of his car to take a picture with his young fan. And if ever we were wondering what made him stop, he did offer, "Well, I saw you were wearing my shirt, so"
He motioned to Kyle (as well as our mom and myself), who were all wearing his unmistakable captain jersey. He even touched Kyle's shoulder in kindness and told him thanks for coming to the games.
This whole incident absolutely blew all of us away. Never, in a million years, would I have expected this man to seek us out - even Kyle - and do what he did. I will say, and everyone who knows me knows this: I believe Kyle is an unconditional source of light, laughter, and love to everyone who knows him. He truly radiates happiness and joy and brings out the best in so many people. He is witty and smart and loyal to the core. He is always positive. He stands up for what is right and takes the time to listen, no matter what. He also happens to be a huge Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby fan. With all of that being said, all I can say is that either Sidney Crosby could also sense the kind of person Kyle is and decided to stop and say hi, or that Sidney Crosby and Kyle Smith are cut from the same mold.
I really think everyone should know what kind of man "Sid" is. He, who has won nearly every imaginable honor and award in the NHL and received a gold medal at the Olympics, stopped a young man with cerebral palsy on the street just to say hello and see how his night was. It touched my heart - and my life - to see him smile at my brother. He is a shining beacon of light and a true hero to anyone who has ever loved the sport of hockey.
So, from the bottom of my heart: thank you, Sid. If we had more of you in this world, we'd all be better off.
I stand corrected, but he has done some douchy things in the past. Like breaking that one persons camera or something last year in the playoffs (or whenever it was).
Nah... he would skate over to him and cover him with ice shavings. Then push his mom while she's taking a video. Somehow that wouldn't be a big deal and be cool.
The next day the main boards would be calling for Sids head for not dotting the I in the autograph.
Yeah, I've been rough on Ovie for a while, but, honestly, I think a lot of it is just his "Russian-ness" coming through. Some of it is legit douchiness, but who at his age hasn't been a ****** epically?
Sid's pretty much the nicest celeb of our generation, and Geno's smart enough to get the hell out of the spotlight.
Yeah, I've been rough on Ovie for a while, but, honestly, I think a lot of it is just his "Russian-ness" coming through. Some of it is legit douchiness, but who at his age hasn't been a ****** epically?
Sid's pretty much the nicest celeb of our generation, and Geno's smart enough to get the hell out of the spotlight.
I think that will be Shero's greatest asset keeping Geno long term. Geno doesn't get the cameras shoved in his face 365 days a year. When he's great we love him and cheer while Mama and Papa Malkin make-out in the stands. When he struggles we just sort of let it slide because we're too busy watching Sid be the best player in the world.
Yeah, I've been rough on Ovie for a while, but, honestly, I think a lot of it is just his "Russian-ness" coming through. Some of it is legit douchiness, but who at his age hasn't been a ****** epically?
Sid's pretty much the nicest celeb of our generation, and Geno's smart enough to get the hell out of the spotlight.
I think that will be Shero's greatest asset keeping Geno long term. Geno doesn't get the cameras shoved in his face 365 days a year. When he's great we love him and cheer while Mama and Papa Malkin make-out in the stands. When he struggles we just sort of let it slide because we're too busy watching Sid be the best player in the world.
Yeah. Lord knows it's worth a shot.
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Originally Posted by ForzaItalia
Great read. As a Caps fan, this really puts into perspective how truly trivial the AO vs Sid garbage is when compared to real life.
Good on you Sid.
Yeah, but on the other hand, what's a rivalry without some sort of nonsensical hate? The problem is when people invest too much in the rivalry. At the end of the day, none of this matters, so might as well just enjoy it while we're here, and learn to let it go when it's all done.
