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Remembering Mr. Mac
By Bethany | April 26, 2008
These are some of the quotes I found in the media today, just to help you get an idea of what an amazing person he was.
In 1997, when someone had to save the Columbus NHL expansion bid, McConnell wrote a personal check for $80 million, took on the yoke of majority owner and faced a phalanx of lawsuits from a spurned former partner, the late Lamar Hunt, a man of impeccable reputation.
“The team was going to Kentucky if we hadn’t stepped forward,” McConnell said in 2000.
Simple.
The investment grew into an emotional one for him. He liked the players, and told them to play for one another. He liked the game, the toughness of it, the stress it put on team play. He thoroughly enjoyed sitting in his box, up there in the corner above sections 106 and 107, and seeing the arena fill up for a major-league sport right here, in Downtown Columbus. I have no doubt he was happy that the Jackets will play on, indefinitely, beyond him. That was the point.
When they showed his face on the Jumbotron, he’d wave and the crowd would cheer. That’s not a normal owner-fan relationship, but it’s not surprising in this case. McConnell’s intentions were always transparent and pure and it was impossible not to like the man, and admire him. The jamokes in section 216, row Z, had a bond with him.
“We knew he’d been sick for a while, but it’s still a shock,” Hitchcock said. “I wish we could have done more, as players and coaches. I wish we could have done more.
“You’re not going to meet a more genuine man. His word was his bond. His legacy is all over the arena and the city. There’s a right way to do things, and that’s how he did everything. We have an obligation now to follow that.”
“He’s an icon of the sports world to me, because he’s a real sportsman,” MacLean said. “He loved sports and he got into it for the right reason. To him, it truly wasn’t done to make money. It was done because he wanted Columbus to have pro sports.
“He loved Columbus. That came through in almost everything he did. He loved this city.”
“Mr. Mac is one of the reasons I was so proud to play for the Blue Jackets,” said Shelley, who was traded to San Jose in January. “I was proud to play for an owner who was such a great man. Not just a great businessman, but a great man.
“I called him after I got traded just to say thanks for everything. He was joking and laughing, and that’s a memory I’ll always keep.”
As you can see, Mr. Mac is one of the best. There are more articles to read on him, but I am thankful that he was the Blue Jackets owner, and for all that he has done for Columbus, the Blue Jackets, the NHL, and hockey in general. He’ll always be remembered. Here are some of the other articles:
Topics: John H McConnell |
April 26th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
[…] Original post here […]
April 29th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
this is a perfect op to put a pic of Mr. Mac on your site and get rid of the pick of Mr. ass opps i ment Mr. foote
April 29th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Ugh Stephen, I still need to do that! I’m sorry I promise I will get to it, finals are approaching I am swamped!