Mike Babcock Hates Nutritionists, and We Love Him For It
Post-game interviews, blergh. There’s no more glaring evidence of the bland corporatization of professional sports: reporters toss softball questions at athletes and coaches, who dribble back media-trained responses so void of personality and meaning they’re practically inhuman.
Thankfully, there remain a few blessed torchbearers of the old school, guys who speak frankly and directly without fear of backlash or retribution. Perhaps the finest of them all? Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock. Witness his presser from last night after the Leafs dropped a sloppy 2-1 decision to the Flyers:
Yes, you heard that right. He just called bullshit on anyone trying to say his young Buds are too tired to play hockey — especially the Leafs’ in-house team of nutritionists and sleep specialists.
“When you’re young, you play three minor hockey league games in one day. No one knows: You eat a burger, and then you have some fries, and you put some ketchup on the side. You don’t know. No one told you you’re tired, so you’re not tired. So this is just because now we have all these people working for us saying you gotta eat this, do this — forget that. Play the game.”
That is, just, wow. That is maybe my favourite quote of all time. I want it tattooed on my back in big bold letters, with a little tramp stamp portrait of Babcock directly underneath. God bless you, Babs. Keep on tellin’ it like it is.
