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Brendan Burke, Son Of Brian Burke, Gone At 21

Sad, sad story tonight as we have learned that Brendan Burke passes away today due to injuries sustained in a car accident. He apparently lost control of his car on a snowy highway and collided head on with another vehicle. What makes this story tragic is how just a few months ago, Brendan made news when it was learned that he was openly gay. Not big news in itself, but it was a courageous story about someone so involved in ice hockey and sports was not only open, but was fully supported by his father.

Travis Hughes has a tremendous story on Brendan on SB Nation.com:

Brendan's bravery was not encapsulated just by the fact that he came out to his rugged father Brian, but also in the political and social ramifications his coming out caused in his own life and the world of sport. Brendan wasn't just the son of a hockey icon; he also worked on the staff of the University of Miami Ohio's men's hockey team, so he encountered these issues every single day of his professional life.

It's no secret that homosexuality in sports is a topic that simply isn't discussed comfortably. It's an issue that we haven't yet figured out how to tackle in our society, and because of that, those like Brendan who are victims of abuse either directly or indirectly on a daily basis, are often times not brave enough to be open with their lifestyle.

Pension Plan Puppets, SB Nation's Leafs blog, has a touching story up as well on Brendan's passing.

I know this is a touchy subject, but I wanted to take the time to give my thoughts and prayers to the Burke family. I am truly saddened by this news, and words effectively escape me at the moment. That someone this brave and this supported by a great family to be gone so young, is incredible tragic. RIP, Brendan.

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My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family

"They’ve taken the Illini to the woodshed."
-Steve Lavin on Mizzou v. Illinois

by Mizzou12 on Feb 6, 2010 12:16 AM CST reply actions  

Geez

Any of our friends who are out in this snow this weekend…please be careful. Seriously.

by Brad Gardner on Feb 6, 2010 1:28 AM CST reply actions  

Or better yet stay out of it.

Yikes.

"Hey... Goldberg! I bet if that puck was a cheeseburger, you'd stop it!

by TheCrow471 on Feb 6, 2010 2:17 AM CST up reply actions  

RIP Brendan and Mark

On a night when Miami University should’ve been celebratng the induction of Danny Boyle into its Hall of Fame and a 2 – 0 victory over lake superior state university, instead the Brotherhood mourns the loss of a friend and student team manager. And another university mourns the loss of Mark Reedy.

Prayers to the Burke and Reedy families and Miami University and Michigan State University. Two tragic losses that didn’t need to happen. You will both be missed.

I am so sad.

I must have this thing for hockey boys from Whitby with the initials JN.

by Happy Girl on Feb 6, 2010 5:11 PM CST reply actions  

RIP Brendan

And condolences to the Burke family. We may have our disagreements about Burke’s choices for the US Olympic team.

But those don’t transcend over to Burke’s personal life. As a father of one 7 year old daughter and with a son on the way, my heart aches for Brian Burke right now.

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by Brandon Bibb on Feb 7, 2010 10:07 AM CST reply actions  

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