Making Sense of Rick Rypien's Death
By Eric Rosenhek
Hockey players – like all professional athletes – are human beings.
As fans, we tend to disqualify athletes and celebrities from human emotions. We heavily criticize them when they complain or act out of line. We point to their large salaries and luxuries and declare they have no right to protest because of their privilege.
Some deserve criticism and some are unfairly criticized.
It’s human nature. As fans, we do it because we’re jealous.
We’re jealous because they achieved, while we failed. We turn our failure into hate and believe they – athletes, celebrities, even our friends and family – are not deserving of their accomplishments. We’re the 999 out the 1000 that didn’t make it.
I try hard not to have petty jealousy. But it’s not easy for me to follow through.
The untimely and sad death of Rick Rypien is a hard reminder about the human aspect of professional sports.
Here is a man, nearly my age, who was “living the dream.” He was playing in the NHL.
It was a classic tale of coming from a small town in Canada – Coleman, Alberta – and making it to the biggest stage. He might not have been the best player on the ice, but he gave a strong effort in every game he played in.
I completely understand why he didn’t talk openly about his illness. If I was in his place, I would’ve probably done the same. Opponents could’ve used his depression to their advantage. Coaches might’ve kept him out of the lineup because it made him a liability.
Although people have a better understanding of it, mental illness still carries a stigma. The barriers are coming down, but it’s not something that will happen overnight.
No one could possibly know what was going through Rypien’s mind when he passed away. In fact, we don’t even know for sure if it was suicide. The local RCMP detachment listed his death as “sudden and non-suspicious.”
Regardless, the saddest aspect was that Rypien appeared to have his depression under control after briefly stepping away from hockey on a couple of occasions. The Canadian Press quoted Winnipeg Jets forward and good friend Jason Jaffray, who said Rypien was “definitely the happiest” he’d ever seen him.
We look at players like Rypien and view them as super humans. Despite their great talents, they’re no different than anyone. They still battle the same hurdles we face on a daily basis. Some aren’t use to the fame and the scrutiny. Some are introverted and shy. Organizations like the NHLPA make every effort to ensure their members have access to programs that help them deal with issues like drugs and depression. But there’s only so much people can do.
The death of Rick Rypien – as well as the death of Derek Boogaard, who passed away after accidently mixing alcohol with prescription medication – will hopefully force the NHL and NHLPA to make further strides in educating its players about mental illness and increasing the support that’s already there.
Hopefully, it will also provide a much needed perspective for fans.
We are not perfect and neither are professional athletes. They are also susceptible to depression and other illnesses. They might have a dream job and a fabulous salary, but that doesn’t mean they have a blissful life.
Perhaps Rick Rypien’s death will inspire another player with depression to seek help and talk openly about what they go through. Perhaps in turn, this will inspire fans with similar conditions to seek help.
Sometimes, tragedy leads to positive changes. It’s not fair, but that’s how life is.
Rest in peace, Rick Rypien. Wherever you are, I hope the pain is gone and you’re content.
