[CarlBradley]

“Two weeks ago, after my serious discussion with Jason, we took a few deep breaths and went into the program recording. If a viewer had no idea what Jason is going through, they’d never be able to tell. He shifted immediately. That’s because Jason is a pro’s pro.”—-

—As we say of the greatest of fighters; “That’s because he’s a HOCKEY PLAYER!”

I write this with the hope it is received as intended, but I have a personal anecdote regarding the cruel “C”, hockey, and humanity.

In 2012 my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer with bone mets. Obviously not great news. One of my best friends, Chris Becker, had worked in the Flyers sales department for many years and retained some great friendships. Upon hearing of mom’s plight, he remembered that her all-time favorite athlete was Mr. Bill Barber. After an untold number of calls and favors– mom got a call one afternoon. It was Bill Barber. He spent every bit of 15 -20 minutes chatting and laughing with her, not just a quick hello, a human conversation.
She was over the moon. Mr. Barber was gracious and kind and human, and my friend Chris showed why he is so important to me.

I’ve barely had a handful of stat-related back-and-forth tweets with Jason, but he’s always been generous and friendly and notably knowledgeable. This note is my comical effort at returning the Flyers good Karma of Billy calling mom. So this is me wishing Jason well and telling him to keep fighting. And reporting, because we need him.

Godspeed good sir. Godspeed indeed.

[Author]

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