Who the hell do you think you are???

Alright, so I've been known as an overbearing mother, and proud of it.  Each day when I get the kids from school there's usually a snack waiting in the car.  Yesterday, was different.  We stopped at our local fruit store after pick-up en-route to a park.  It was probably one of the last days outside after school due to the weather and Jayla's asthma.  

We've been to this fruit store many times before.  They know us by name and the kids love going in for a smoothie or sometimes a soda.  Anyway, the clerk began asking how Brent was doing in Atlanta.  Of course the girls were excited to tell him that Daddy was coming home for Halloween.  Small chat just like every other day; only this was different.  On our way out, in front of other customers, he shouted one more thing.  "I'd love to see your husband back in a Blackhawks uniform and trade for John Scott.  Scott actually makes your husband look fast!"  Yup, he said it - in front of the kids!

These kind of things really test my fucking patience.  Just because my husband's a public figure, DOES NOT give you permission to insult in front of my children.  The girls thought he was being nice and calling Daddy, "A fast skater."  Jake, being 12, knew by my reaction that I was pissed.  I took that incident to explain to him what a back-handed compliment was; along with an asshole.  

A couple year back, we had another incident in front of Jake.  Sopes was coming out of the rink with us after a game.  On our way to the car he's usually signing autographs.  A man with his son came up to us and handed Brent $5.  Sopes looked at him funny and asked what it was for.  The man said, "Use this to go and get a haircut.  You're a role model for kids like my son and you shouldn't be walking around like that."  Seriously, I could have jumped the guy right there.  To insult my husband, not knowing what kind of man he was, and in front of our child?!?!?  

This was one of the proudest moments I've ever experience being Brent wife.  He was calm, handed the money back and signed his kids shirt.  Upon walking away Sopes turned and said, "If you were your sons role model, just like I am to mine, you wouldn't be worrying about my hair."  I was speechless.  

Most people don't know why his hair is long.  Simple - kids don't like change.  It started back in Vancouver.  Sopes and I went to NY for a weekend and ended up getting really bad haircuts that were outrageously expensive.  He joked around that he wasn't getting a haircut for a while because of the price of the last one.  Well, the kids loved it!  Every time he said he was going to cut it off the kids would cry.  Didn't bother us, he left it.  

We've been dealing with this for years.  Yes, Sopes is a hockey player.  He's also a father and a husband.  Sometimes fans will forget that by insulting the player, you're also hurting their children.

 

Comments

[Amylpiper]

Wow. What a jack-ass. Amazing.

[Alaina]

People have a lot of fucking nerve......

[Jessica B]

Kelly...your post brought me to tear up!

I love Brent's calm reaction to the "hair cut man" - you, your family and your friends know how you both are such amazing parents, inside and out, and really....that is all that matters!

I wish all these people could spend a day with you guys....even an hour, love like that within a family is hard to find - and you guys are beaming with it. If these people had that chance to really get to know you then maybe they would shut their mouths and learn when to be quiet.

Miss you all very much (Vancouver misses you too)!
Jess
oxo

[me.yahoo.com/a/Fc7twY4uvpdKm2DGrMFgJkRMOcaopCRstcgefg--]

i live in the atl, big thrahers fan, and sopes has been nothing but a stand-up dude so far this season.
happy to have him, thanks!

[Billyboss]

I wish we could have Brent in Chicago, but not because of anything insulting. I just really like the guy that he is and how played the game. It's not about "being better than what the Blackhawks have now" but rather the type of guy we don't get to see play on a daily basis.

I love his style of play on defense. Seeing a guy with long hair laying down to block any and every shot reminds me a lot of myself and how I use to be in my "playing days"...of course, I wasn't as good as Brent:)

I hope he has all the success in the world with the Thrashers (not hard to be a fan, come on, they're a Chicago Wolves affiliate, therefore I'm loyal to the city of Chicago, right?)

[Missmjanelle]

I just found your blog today through Brent's Twitter page. You are an amazing mom and I think it's great you're letting the world into your personal family's world. I had no idea why Brent kept his hair long, but now I'll smile every time I see him and his long hair on TV!

[HawkLunatic]

Some people have absolutely no class let alone any tact. The public does forget that players are people with families and their comments can be hurtful.

Kelly, I had the pleasure of briefly meeting your husband when he appeared with the cup at the Pride Parade, wearing the jersey patch honoring Brendon Burke. He stood patiently with each and every fan who wanted an autograph or picture, and did so with a genuine smile on his face.

Some players are coached on how to act during public appearances but Sopes walks the walk better than any of them, and does so from his heart.p

I remain waiting for the day when the right roster spot opens up here in the Windy City and our favorite #5 can return to patrol the home team blue line at the madhouse.

-Hawklunatic

[Meggiepoo78]

It's really unfortunate that some people feel the need to comment on the negative rather than look at the positive and to do so in front of children is even worse. I was one of the many that were very sad when Sgt. Sopel went to ATL.

My husband and I are in the minority of being fine with his hair. When the Hawks won the cup my husband cut off 18" of hair and donated it to Locks of Love. My husband loves his hair as well and doesn't care for pricey hair cuts.

Looking forward to seeing Sopel someday back in the IndianHead wearing #5 and patroling the blue line....and maybe...just maybe my husband will have to cut his hair again. =)

All the best!

[Cathybytes]

UGH. I will never understand some people, where they get off thinking it's okay to act that way. I'm neither a Blackhawks nor a Thrashers fan, but Brent is quickly becoming one of my favorite players simply because he seems like such a classy guy.

[Jill]

Wow, I can't even begin to explain the amount of respect I have for all of you for putting up with assholes like that. Please keep being so amazing :)

[Canadgarce89]

Some people are ridiculous...I know that professional athletes can live a very privileged lifestyle, but that doesn't mean that they aren't people (with feelings) too. It makes me so mad when fans criticize players without even thinking that they are regular people with families too.

As a Blackhawks fan I really miss Sopel on the ice and off the ice--he, along with your entire family, are extremely classy individuals who do so much for the community. Thank you!

[cpayne]

WOW! What an asshole! Kudos Kelly for being the bigger person! Not so sure I could have done the same thing. Brent is a huge asset to the Atlanta Thrashers and we like his hair!

[Jamie Fallon]

Kelly, this is one of the reason I love reading your blog. You bring forth all of the issues, the good, the bad and the down right ugly and help to make people more aware of what it is like on your side. Ignorance is definitely not bliss.
I have so much respect for you, Brent, your relationship and your parenting.
If your messages hit home for at least one person, it's worth it.

[Tommyokapal]

Well put MRS. SOPEL!!!!

[CanuckFin]

Some people just leave you speechless with the crap they say!
Personally, I wish your husband was back in a Canucks uniform! He was a thrill to watch!

[Piddleloop]

please keep posting photos like that. I can't get enough of them.

i am sorry you have to hear stuff like that, assholes forget they are not in the rink and carry everything too far. Chicago fans have always been harsh on their players for lame reasons.

Your husband is a truly great person and i almost cried when i learned he was going to be there at Pride with the cup. Now that is someone i want my nephew (who is 7 and thinks hockey is boring, go figure) to look up to.

-jennifer

[Deeanneb]

i think you guys are both great role models (just starting to read your blog)! i love that even you, a hockey wife, are so involved with the fans. we're so grateful to have him in atlanta! p.s. who does crap like that?! so he has longish hair. tons of guys do! thanks for blogging!

[KT]

It never occurred to me that Sopel's hair was anything unusual. Huh. Very cute story, though, and thank you for sharing it. As a fan, I think it is very easy to see players, even our favorites, as rather one-dimensional figures on the tv screen. Maybe if we're lucky, we get to see them on the ice or up close for an event, but the only thing we really know about them as people are what we see through the media lens. They are objects to our own goals and desires, but not "real people." Things like Twitter and your blog here are fascinating because they let us see you, and by proxy your family, as actual human beings with personalities and feelings that us "lowly masses" can actually talk to and identify with.

Don't let the jerks, on purpose or on accident, get you down. Yes, we miss our boys from last year, but as long as they are doing well and having fun, that's all that matters, right? I remember thinking after I started reading your blog "wow, if I met her in real life, I think I'd like her! She stands up for herself and her family and has a sense of humour!"

[Susan]

Great picture! You know, I was thinking...it seems so apparent, in the short time I've been reading your blog, that family is such a high priority for you and Brent. I mean, he travels to Chicago with only 1 day off to be with you and the kids. That's commitment. And your kids feel that commitment and that love. They see for themselves what an amazingly dedicated father he is. They see your commitment to them and keeping their lives settled during this season. Whether or not the fruit man thinks Brent is slow is really of little consequence, IMO. He's the fruit man! I would imagine that his opinion carries only the weight that you give it. Your children will form...have formed...their opinions of Brent, from their experience of him. And the opinions of those in the public will come with the territory. Rude people abound, unfortunately. And we all run into that. You and Brent, and any public figures, run into it even more. You get the good folks, too, tho...maybe even more. But what they say and what they think matters little, compared to what your children know of you both. Water off a duck's back...just water off a duck's back in the big picture. JMHO.

[Athena Metaxas]

Kelly, you and your family are such an inspiration.
You guys are such a great family and you stick up for each other.
And to that total jerk who commented on Brent's hair, well, he wishes he had hair that awesome!

Cheers.

[IronMom]

Love, love, love your blog!

[Luvkane88]

LOVE, LOVE the Picture Kelly of Brent and the kids. Next time you should be in one too! Yes, what an idiot. All hockey players have their own style with their hair, facial hair, etc. They are unique and that is your hubby Brent. There are always those kind of people everywhere that don't know Brent or your family. I agree with the rest that would love Sopes to come back and the rest of the Hawks traded that help win the Stanley Cup. We need them!!! take care Kelly.

[Nacalae]

Thanks for sharing this story. It's a good reminder to everyone that just because someone is in the spotlight, it doesn't give them the right to be rude, or insensitive. I'm sorry your children had to hear that, but I'm sure you handled it well. I really enjoy your blog, your honesty, and your humor. Welcome to Atlanta to your husband, and to you, if at least part time. :D
Love having him as part of the Thrashers!!!

[Laura]

Both of those idiot's comments piss me off! Fruit man needs to learn how to think before he opens his mouth. Sounds like you handled it gracefully and used it to teach your son how to handle jerks like that in the future. As for five dollar guy... I love that Sopes very eloquently pointed out that a parent should be a child's first role model. Yes, sports stars are role models for kids. But, their actions are what make them a good role model, not their appearance. My 10 year old daughter and I met Sopes at the Face Off event and I don't care if Brent had flourescent green dreadlocks, in my eyes he is what a role model is supposed to be. He was so sweet to my girl - signing multiple items for her and chatting with her like she was the only person in the room. An upstanding man who puts his heart in the game, adores his family and makes his fans feel special? Sounds like a great role model to me! Lucky for 5 dollar guy his son has someone like Sopes to look up to since dad doesn't seem to be doing a very good job!

[Flamesblackace]

Good on the level head Brent... What a tool to sit and wait for it too... Always nice to see a good man in the sport of Canadians... and unlike the wife, sorry, I do believe it is part of being a pro athlete... putting up with the jibber-jabber on and off the ice... Thats why you make the big bucks... I mean, I put up with it at my job at about a .02% of the wage... Sounds like maybe the wife needs a raise perhaps :)