BHN Puck Links: Bobby Orr Steps Out To Make Trump Endorsement

In the last couple of days, several retired, great athletes from the past have stepped forward into the political arena to make a presidential endorsement during this most tumultuous time. Jack Nicklaus went first with a twitter endorsement of Donald Trump on Thursday, and Bruins Hall of Famer Bobby Orr made a similar Trump endorsement on Friday by taking out a full-page ad in the Manchester Union Leader.

Bobby Orr personally placed an ad endorsing @realDonaldTrump in today’s @UnionLeader. #nhpolitics pic.twitter.com/sLw4y2VesG

— Patrick Hynes (@patjhynes) October 30, 2020

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre stepped forward and did the same on Friday as well.

Interesting that it wasn’t done in the Boston papers and that both Nicklaus and Orr stuck to the same kind of script in their messages (don’t pay attention to what Trump actually says, we just like the policies).

Here’s the full-page ad that Orr took out:

“Everyone has an opinion as our upcoming Presidential election approaches, and I am no different. When I look art America during these turbulent times, I keep trying to separate style from substance, fact from fiction.

“This much I know. Our current president has had to operate under extremely difficult conditions over the past several years. In addition, no leader anywhere signed up with the idea that dealing with a worldwide pandemic would be part of their mandate. The attacks on our President have been unrelenting since the day he took office. Despite that, President Trump has delivered for all the American people, regardless of race, gender, or station in life.

“That’s the kind of teammate I want.

“Perhaps you do not like his tweets or how the President says things sometimes, and that is your right. But remember this is not a personality contest; it’s about policies and the people those policies assist.

“I have never done anything like this before, but I am greatly concerned for the country in which I have raised my family – a country I have grown to love deeply. I want my grandchildren to know the America I know, a place of patriotism and opportunity.

“Some of you may still be undecided at this point. Your vote for President Trump would help keep America moving forward in the years ahead.

“So please, join Peggy and me in supporting President Donald J. Trump for re-election in this important election.”

What to think about all this? Those voting for Trump will undoubtedly take it as confirmation that they’re doing the right thing. Some of those voting for Joe Biden (or more exactly, voting against Trump) may no longer be Bobby Orr fans as a result. And there will be plenty of people in the middle that wonder what exactly pushed Nicklaus, Orr and Favre, among others, to step forward so vocally in something where there’s very clearly no middle ground.

It remains to be seen how it all plays out, but we hope Orr doesn’t come to regret what he did. He’s the greatest hockey player of all time and a high-quality person as well, and neither of those things will ever change. But there have been few winners in this presidential election cycle and that’s not likely to change anytime soon.

On to the links:

*Could the Pittsburgh Penguins ever write a letter to their fans declaring a rebuild as the Chicago Blackhawks did last week? Would we call it a “Dear Sid” letter? (PHN)

*Joey Moss was a tremendous figure on the Edmonton hockey scene for decades, and he is going to be missed within the Oilers organization. (SportsNet)

*Some good information from Brandon Carlo in an exclusive interview with Boston Hockey Now where he mentioned that Bruins players aren’t likely to play in a bubble again unless families are brought along next time. (Boston Hockey Now)

*Boston Sports Journal ranks the greatest Bruins jerseys of all time, and it’s no surprise the Pooh Bear wasn’t high in the list. (Boston Sports Journal)

*What are the New Jersey Devils going to look like after some changes this offseason? (The Athletic)

*Full props to former Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche forward Colin Wilson for stepping up and discussing his battle with a pretty severe form of OCD through his NHL career. It took him a long time to come to grips with it, but it sounds like he’s in a good place as his career is winding up. (Players Tribune)

*For something completely different: Pretty fun perspective from Michael Irvin on his basketball scenes with Adam Sandler in “The Longest Yard.” (Barstool Sports)