Because this is my space, I'm going to share this about someone who I had considered one of my best friends and they turned out to be something completely different.
Wow Sean, I'm so sorry you had to go through this. Your experience matters and does nothing to take away from what victims went through. If anything, a victim of sexual assault might feel relieved reading something like this, knowing you care about what happened to them more than you care about upholding an image. It hurts so much when our judgement about something like a lifelong friend ends up being wrong, but all you can do is go on with the information you have now. The point about doing "the next right thing" rings so true, and sometimes that's all we can do. It matters.
Getting all of this out there is vital. Every time a story like this is shared, it helps to destigmatize conversations about abuse. Kudo's to you, it is not easy to write an article like this.
Thank you for sharing. Your commitment to talking about mental health of others and yourself is what makes you such an incredible writer. I love seeing the real person. Thank you so much for allowing yourself to be vulnerable and to serve as an example.
You are the reason that my interest for Dallas Stars is big. My brother told me to read a text from you! Then i got a Athletic so I could read more off your stuff. Then my brother died (cancer) and I lost biggest hockeyguy.
Now I m listening to 3 dallas podcasts after every game💚. And have 3 subscribe at substack for my dallas check Now when the playoffs starts i will wake up 4am so I can see my Dallas.
So I m one off yours biggest supporters in Sweden 🇸🇪 at least !
Thanks for sharing Sean, I started reading your hockey articles about the Stars way back when but really started following your work closely for the non-hockey side like this piece. Definitely not something easy to share but I hope it helps you to write about it as much as it helps some of us to read and relate. Please try to remember that there is only one responsible party in situations like this and luckily they are behind bars ready for justice
Great post Sean, you can just feel how tough that was for you to write - hopefully it brings you some peace to get it out there. Not that this is nearly as important, but know you were really missed on Stars coverage at the Athletic - the coverage has never been the same. I was delighted to discover you (and Bob Sturm) were on Substack and have been a paid subscriber to both of you ever since. Prayers and courage in continuing to fight through this.
You have little to forgive yourself for and are giving love to his victims. Predators are very skilled at what they do. They are the most helpful and friendly good acting people who manipulate their victims into believing that they did something wrong. He had honest desire to help you along with his terrible sickness. You read the good in him. You remind us to never take the safety of our children for granted. He is the monster, not you. We read about so many of these predators and their numerous victims who had to fool hundreds of unsuspecting people. This article my save an unsuspecting innocent or encourage someone to come forward who would have otherwise been too afraid.
Thank you for sharing this, Sean. This, this right here, is why I will always continue to support and follow you. You are a stand-up human being and living real life. I am sorry for your suffering, and I am glad that you sought help. It's never easy and thank God you have a wife that supports you and stands by you every step of the way. Hockey isn't everything and I'm glad you took the time to share this part of your story.
When I was in 7th grade the Jr High leader at my church was arrested for molestation of some of the boys in the youth group. One of my sisters was a college helper in the group and my other sister was in 8th grade at the time. Our whole family was around this man frequently. I trusted him, because why wouldn't I? I think that feeds some distrust I have. It's why I was really happy to be handed a background check form when I became a Sunday School teacher recently. It's part of why I am scared something will happen to my son, who has limited verbal communication, because he is extra vulnerable. I am relatively unscathed, but it destroyed some of my innocence all the same. Even now, approximately 30 years later, I think of the young lady who was dating him when some of this had to be going on (I don't remember if they were still dating when the news broke). How did she feel when this happened? How long did it take for her to get over it? Has she actually gotten over it?
Wow Sean, I'm so sorry you had to go through this. Your experience matters and does nothing to take away from what victims went through. If anything, a victim of sexual assault might feel relieved reading something like this, knowing you care about what happened to them more than you care about upholding an image. It hurts so much when our judgement about something like a lifelong friend ends up being wrong, but all you can do is go on with the information you have now. The point about doing "the next right thing" rings so true, and sometimes that's all we can do. It matters.
Getting all of this out there is vital. Every time a story like this is shared, it helps to destigmatize conversations about abuse. Kudo's to you, it is not easy to write an article like this.
Thank you for sharing. Your commitment to talking about mental health of others and yourself is what makes you such an incredible writer. I love seeing the real person. Thank you so much for allowing yourself to be vulnerable and to serve as an example.
Shout-out to your wife as well. What a saint.
You are the reason that my interest for Dallas Stars is big. My brother told me to read a text from you! Then i got a Athletic so I could read more off your stuff. Then my brother died (cancer) and I lost biggest hockeyguy.
Now I m listening to 3 dallas podcasts after every game💚. And have 3 subscribe at substack for my dallas check Now when the playoffs starts i will wake up 4am so I can see my Dallas.
So I m one off yours biggest supporters in Sweden 🇸🇪 at least !
Take care and be safe ❤️
Thanks for sharing Sean, I started reading your hockey articles about the Stars way back when but really started following your work closely for the non-hockey side like this piece. Definitely not something easy to share but I hope it helps you to write about it as much as it helps some of us to read and relate. Please try to remember that there is only one responsible party in situations like this and luckily they are behind bars ready for justice
Thank you Sean
We love you, Sean. You are important to all of us.
Thank you for sharing.
You are valued. You are loved. You matter. 💚
I love you
Sean - thank you for posting. You know it’s ok to not go back to 7-11…
Great post Sean, you can just feel how tough that was for you to write - hopefully it brings you some peace to get it out there. Not that this is nearly as important, but know you were really missed on Stars coverage at the Athletic - the coverage has never been the same. I was delighted to discover you (and Bob Sturm) were on Substack and have been a paid subscriber to both of you ever since. Prayers and courage in continuing to fight through this.
You have little to forgive yourself for and are giving love to his victims. Predators are very skilled at what they do. They are the most helpful and friendly good acting people who manipulate their victims into believing that they did something wrong. He had honest desire to help you along with his terrible sickness. You read the good in him. You remind us to never take the safety of our children for granted. He is the monster, not you. We read about so many of these predators and their numerous victims who had to fool hundreds of unsuspecting people. This article my save an unsuspecting innocent or encourage someone to come forward who would have otherwise been too afraid.
Thank you for sharing this, Sean. This, this right here, is why I will always continue to support and follow you. You are a stand-up human being and living real life. I am sorry for your suffering, and I am glad that you sought help. It's never easy and thank God you have a wife that supports you and stands by you every step of the way. Hockey isn't everything and I'm glad you took the time to share this part of your story.
When I was in 7th grade the Jr High leader at my church was arrested for molestation of some of the boys in the youth group. One of my sisters was a college helper in the group and my other sister was in 8th grade at the time. Our whole family was around this man frequently. I trusted him, because why wouldn't I? I think that feeds some distrust I have. It's why I was really happy to be handed a background check form when I became a Sunday School teacher recently. It's part of why I am scared something will happen to my son, who has limited verbal communication, because he is extra vulnerable. I am relatively unscathed, but it destroyed some of my innocence all the same. Even now, approximately 30 years later, I think of the young lady who was dating him when some of this had to be going on (I don't remember if they were still dating when the news broke). How did she feel when this happened? How long did it take for her to get over it? Has she actually gotten over it?
Thank you for sharing. <virtual hug>