Commentary: Lifeline

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A coupla three or more thoughts entering the weekend …

#1 – We lost another one. On Thursday we learned former pro hockey goalie, scout and broadcaster Shawn Simpson in Ottawa is dead at 56. A couple weeks ago former Warrior tough guy Rob Trumbley passed away at age 50.

I didn’t know Rob but I knew Simmer pretty well, or at least I thought I did. We met at the 2017 Grey Cup in Ottawa while doing our afternoon radio shows in the lobby of TD Place and immediately “clicked”. Honestly, I could listen to that dude all day, and told him that. I challenge you to find a picture of him where he isn’t smiling!

Shawn was quite open about his mental health challenges and to be honest, I thought he had them licked. Then this.

For this reason I’m incapable of getting down about my problems because you don’t have to look too far to see someone who has it worse. Those players’ families are really having a tough time.

The lesson here for me is: when someone throws you a lifeline, you’ve gotta grab it.

#2 – We’re just over a week away from Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Honestly, I think the two week break between games is great and wonder how the CFL is able to squeeze in only one week between the Division Finals and Grey Cup? There’s a lot to do!

I’m skipping this Super Bowl but our man Scott Morganroth – the “Motor City Madmouth” and publisher of the South Florida Tribune – will be in the Big Easy and appearing on the RP Show with live reports.

It doesn’t get bigger than that. It’s gonna be a fun week.

And #3 – Actually it’s gonna be a fun weekend. The Florida Panthers host a pair of home games beginning with Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday in a matinee. Those matinees are very popular in Florida and you can imagine why. The late show at the movie theater starts at 4:00.

My kinda place.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary.

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm & 4 pm ET on Game+TV, Podcast & YouTube Live)