The Stanley Cup comes out ... Blackhawks player will carry it in Chicago Gay Pride parade

[cali]

Tue Jun 22,2010 12:00 PM ET By Rick Chandler

... and a metal, cup-shaped trophy shall lead them. We still don't have a current American pro athlete willing to come out of the closet, but the Chicago Blackhawks organization struck a huge blow for gay and lesbian equality by agreeing to participate in Chicago's Gay Pride parade on Sunday, June 27. Defenseman Brent Sopel volunteered to represent the team by carrying the Stanley Cup in the parade. Blackhawks President John McDonough is taking the Cup from the NHL Draft 15 hours early to bring it back to Chicago for the parade, where it will join Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks for the festivities. The Chicago Gay Hockey Association invited the Blackhawks to the parade last week, and figured they would never get a reply. How wrong they were.

"We are thrilled and honored for them to consider and accept our request," CGHA president Andrew Sobotka told the Chicago Sun-Times. "It's just the news we wanted to hear. For the Blackhawks to do this is amazing. It is wonderful to know everyone is helping to make 2010 a year to break down barriers."

"I am honored to do it," said Sopel, who will be accompanied by wife, Kelly, and his four kids, Jacob, 12, Lyla, 8, Jayla, 6, and Paul, 20, whom they adopted three years ago after Paul's parents died within six months of each other.

Sopel is also using the opportunity to honor the late Brendan Burke, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, who died in an auto accident earlier this year.

"When Brendan came out, Brian stood by him, and his whole family stood by him, like every family should," said Sopel. "We teach our kids about accepting everybody. Tolerate everybody, to understand where everyone is coming from."

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http://outofbounds.nbcsports.com/2010/06/post-609.html.php

[cali]

1. kicking this for the heartwarming factor

[independentpiney]

2. It is heartwarming. Lifted ny spirits a bit nt

[Tansy_Gold]

3. yep. n/t

[GoCubsGo]

4. You mean ex=Blackhawk

They just traded him to the Thrashers. :-(

Glad to see Ernie Banks is joining the party, too.

[Forkboy]

5. K&R

Out of all the fucked up shit that happened in this world last year, Brendan Burke's death may have hit me the hardest of them all for some reason. If you want to read a phenomenal story about Brendan and his father, check this out. This is one the best pieces of sports journalism that I've ever read.

'We love you, this won't change a thing'

Imagine this.

Well before you are born, your dad plays college hockey at Providence College and wears the "C" for Friars coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Lou Lamoriello. Your dad is then a member of the Calder Cup-winning Maine Mariners AHL team. He admits to having little skill, but contributes rough and tough qualities. You know, like pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and belligerence. He's a man, baby.

Dad is also driven. And smart. He quickly retires from pro hockey. He knows he will make the NHL only with his brain and mental brawn. He earns a law degree from Harvard in 1981, then practices law in Boston for the next six years, representing professional hockey players before joining the Vancouver Canucks in 1987 as vice president and director of hockey operations. He has made the NHL. You are born a year later in Vancouver, British Columbia, in December 1988.

Dad is GM of the Hartford Whalers for a season as a 37-year-old before joining the NHL front office as senior vice president and director of hockey operations under commissioner Gary Bettman in September 1993, staying until 1998. Dad and Mom divorce in 1995, and, as a 9-year old, you move to Boston with Mom in 1997.

Dad then begins a six-year stint on the other side of the continent as president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. Meanwhile, you play hockey while growing up in the Boston area, and you are a goalie. You love Dominik Hasek and still believe he is the best of all time. Dad tries to see you play whenever he can. Goalie is a comfortable position for you on the ice, looking out and hiding behind a mask.

You eventually attend Xaverian Brothers High School, a prep school in Westwood, Mass., and make the competitive varsity hockey team as a senior, but choose not to play. You say it is because you don't think you would get enough playing time and you are upset at the coach. But you actually don't play because you don't think you can go another season without someone finding out your secret.

Your hockey career is over.

the rest here... http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=buccigross_john&id=4685761

And here's Buccigross' piece after Brendan died. Keep the tissues handy.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=buccigross_john&id=4901961

[Kat45]

6. That's great!

I always loved hockey and I'd say this shows class.

[Better Believe It]

7. The Chicago Cubs have a float in the parade for the first time!

Thank you Cubbies and your fans.

[Brickbat]

8. This is awesome. Classy!