from Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,

We also have been hard on Ron Hextall during this NHL season. I still can hear the “Fire Hextall!” chants that filled PPG Paints Arena last week during the Penguins’ embarrassing 7-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Again, it was so easy to jeer the man because his team has underachieved and is in a brutal fight to make the playoffs. He will take most of the blame if it comes up short.

Canada and Hextall get it.

“I understand the fans’ frustrations. We have high expectations, as well. I totally get it,” Hextall said.

“When you’re a GM, you know what you’re signing up for. Criticism is part of the business. We work in the public eye. And [fans] pay good money to come to the rink. They certainly have the right to chant and say whatever they choose.”

Spoken like a true professional.

But there’s something else that is easy for us. It is easy to forget that Canada and Hextall are human beings. They might be able to shrug off the criticism and accept it as part of the job, but what about their families? I can’t begin to imagine how much it stings the people who care about them the most.

You’re damn right we forget about that.

Sports can be such a cruel business, even for those who are well-compensated and make a living that most of us can’t even dream of making.

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