Longread #9 -- The Making of a Goon -- 1/13/12

Wrapping up this week's sports-themed longreads is a great article about hockey "goons.". While the hockey goon is often celebrated as the one-dimensional brawler who protects a team's star players, it turns out there's a lot more to the story. This article, originally published in 1990, provides a much deeper look into the complex life of the hockey goon and of fighting in the sport more generally. After the recent deaths of several former hockey strongmen, this topic has come up again, especially given the growing realization of the dangers of head injuries in the sport. This is a really great read, so thanks to Grantland for republishing it earlier this year!

The Making of a Goon by Johnette Howard

Originally published in The National Sports Daily, February 18, 1990

Republished on Grantland, December 7, 2011

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7326632/making-goon

Happy Friday!

Eric