There are some sports figures in Detroit history whose stories captivate us far beyond their statistics, like Mark Fidrych, like Billy Martin. They transcend their sport and become legend. They might be nice, they might be naughty but they get to us.

When they pass it is more than just a sports story. Robert Probert [rhymes in French] was one those. This guy was 100% colorful and even more endearing because he was one of us, a hard-nosed, hometown and homegrown southsider [Windsor].

Considering all he went through, when I heard the news on the radio, the thought crossed my mind, "You mean he was still alive?" Back when hockey was about enforcers, he was king of that dark 'art' too.



RIP Probie.