CENTER OF ATTENTION THE UNREAL LIFE OF DEREK SANDERSON on Vimeo

Center of Attention: The Unreal Life of Derek Sanderson” follows Sanderson as he wins two Stanley Cups alongside his friend and teammate Bobby Orr, becomes a nightclub owner and coast-to-coast celebrity, widely known as “The Joe Namath of Hockey,” and signs what was then the richest contract in the history of pro sports, only to lose it all in a haze of booze and drugs.
Sanderson’s addictions almost killed him - but that wasn’t the end of his story. He would emerge from the darkness to undertake a comeback few believed possible.

[@Ed513513]

I grew up and had no knowledge about hockey and my father was the go to contractor for both Derek and Bobby who are neighbors to this day. They were just my dad's cool friends

[@fifthbusiness1678]

I confess: This came up and I thought I’d watch it for 5 minutes or so, but I ended up engrossed and watched the entire thing. Excellent profile of a fascinating sports figure. Well done!

[@terrencedeagle4429]

Me too. I was fascinated by this story.

[@JRJunior8624]

@@terrencedeagle4429 Me three!!

[@frankcollins8895]

Derek gave Bobby the Assist on May 10, 1970. Then, years later it was Bobby Orr whom stepped up for his friend and gave Derek the Life Saving Assist! What an incredible person to his friends and his community!

[@terrencedeagle4429]

Bobby Orr is such a great hearted person.

[@johngore7744]

I remember that goal. I was a 9 year old Montreal kid who was at the time a huge Bruins fan. I used to wear my Black Boston #4 sweater to play pick up hockey at the rink. My friends all hated it. Lol.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

There will never be a greater era in the NHL than the late '60s and early '70s. It had everything -- great players, great personalities, great teams, great rivalries.

[@ianjenkins1654]

After watching this, that's exactly what I thought. Character was such a huge part of the game.

[@aberamagold7509]

I don't remember much of the 60's, I was a kid not a hippie, but the 70's I do remember (that's when I played 🤣 but not quite at an NHL level) and the Boston Montreal rivalry was fantastic and the one I remember most as it had great hockey and A LOT of fights. Not to mention a quiet team playing out of Philadelphia that garnered some attention themselves. I am and was a Leafs fan so the 70's weren't memorable, nor the 80's, 90's (early 90's were good) 2000's etc etc 😉

[@mckessa17]

It was great untill the WHA came to be. After that the talent was very watered down.

[@RayManzarekRocks]

@@mckessa17 The WHA served no purpose except to destroy a great product.

[@billf1766]

Amen

[@michaeldobson107]

Several years after Sanderson's retirement, Bobby Orr spent his own money to check Sanderson and several other former Bruins into rehab. Sanderson once remarked that his life might have turned out very differently had it not been for Bobby's intervention. Orr did a lot of things that only came to light decades after the fact. I do remember one thing about that era, though - when Derek and Bobby were on the move towards the goaltender, magic was about to happen. Jesus, I miss those days.

[@rolandkennedy80]

yea bc he was sleeping on a park bench

[@mckessa17]

I was a Leafs fan back then but I admired the character of the Boston Bruins.

[@terrencedeagle4429]

Bobby Orr is a real hero.

[@mikesolomon481]

A terrific film about Derek ! I grew up in nYC as a Ranger fan during their intense rivalry with the Bruins. However, I LOved the way Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson played the game. Speed, savvy, intensity, they could take over a game, change hte momentum of a game. Few palyers of that or any era can really do that. Watching Derek kill penalties wiht Eddie Westfall was like watching hockey at soem of its best. I still remember a shorthanded goal created by Sanderson & Westfall, against the Canadiens during an intense playoff game where thye executed a Perfect give and go ot score shorthanded...what talent....it was hockey at its best. Very touching to see Bobby Orr quietly support and help his old team mate and friend Derek Sanderson. So glad ot see Derek turn his life around from rock bottom to be in a good place in life wiht a family who loves him.

[@petsur]

OMG what a story. I grew up in Boston and was a high school hockey player during #16's heyday. Loved the Bruins, every one of them. I loved his book "I got to be me" written at the time by Stan Fischer, who us Bruins fans hated at the time as he was from NY!

[@riseofthemachine2623]

Remember how good he was at winning face-offs? A master.

[@kanivea]

Being born, raised, and to this day live in Boston, this was an incredible documentary.

[@jimbo4460]

Love seeing having a smoke during the interview......Absolutely classic.

[@clarencelee8852]

I love this guy! I read his book and I'm so happy he was able to turn his life around! I grew up watching him as a kid. God bless you, Derek Sanderson!

[@terrybruce5923]

When I was a young man living in Niagara Falls, I was out with friends at a club and Dereck walked in. A lot of the guys in my circle played with the local town Hockey Team and Hockey had played with Derek back in School. Well he may have been a show boater in his pro life, but he was humble and treated his friends no differently than he probably did from way back....never forgot his roots and became just one of the guys again, all laughing and talking old times. I have to say that he really impressed me with that. He never once showed off that evening and was just a fun guy to be around.

[@mckessa17]

Orr was a great player and even better person. From beautifull Parry Sound Ontario.

[@billhandley943]

@@mckessa17 Met Bobby at Maple Leaf Gardens when Mikita ignored my Dad and I for an autograph back when Orr had his stint with the Blackhawks. My Dad yelling over to Stan who plain ignored us, Bobby skates over and says Hi. My Dad says that SOB mikita, I played hockey with him as kids, grew up down the street, Bobby says, 'well then you know Stan'. I am a Leaf fan, but Orr was a great player, and an even better man.

[@stephendacey8761]

This is a great Video about Derek Sanderson as a legend with the Bruins, and even more as an inspiration to those of us that have hit rock bottom with their addictions, and came back to be a stronger and better person b/c of it. Derek has learned to help others the same way others, like Bobby Orr, had helped him in his darkest days.

[@bbb462cid]

Derek and Bobby's friendship is a thing everyone can learn from: Don't give up on your friends. Don't forget who was there for you.

[@davethompson3140]

That’s easy to say; have you ever had to deal with an alcoholic or drug addict? There no picnic. Mr. Sanderson is very very lucky Orr stood by him because you can only be burned so many times before, for self preservation, you throw in the towel.

[@aviarturo5563]

You all prolly dont care but does any of you know a way to get back into an Instagram account..? I somehow lost the account password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me!

[@bbb462cid]

@@davethompson3140 your detour on the troubles of dealing with people with an addiction has nothing to do with my point. No, stop with the protestation. You don't read very well. It's not my fault. Whatever you have to say about my making myself clear is bullshit. You suck at reading.

[@bbb462cid]

@@aviarturo5563 You're right.Nobody cares about teaching you to hack somebody's account, and nobody beleives you lost your own password.

[@davethompson3140]

@@bbb462cid Maybe it is you who need a lesson in comprehension, which is what you really mean to say when you said “reading”. Now that we know you do not necessarily write the point you want to get across, try reading and comprehending my statement again; if you do you may find that I agree how amazingly loyal Orr was to his friend.

[@jimmyboy2165]

I have to say I honestly really, really enjoyed this video. Thank you so much.

[@sepphess1738]

Really-decent-story.Big-respect-for-Sanderson-and-The-greatest-player-ever-Bobby-Orr

[@donnebes9421]

I’m glad Derek had such a great friendship in Bobby Orr. I knew he had serious problems during my early adult life, but when we were kids Orr and Sanderson along with the rest of the team were my heroes.

[@slayerone61]

What a great story. So happy that he overcame his demons and has helped so many young people and young athletes along the way.

[@robertpeter3550]

Sandy still alive. Rod Gilbert?🙏

[@jeffthewhiff]

This was a very good documentary on Derek Sanderson. I have to admit that he wasn't one of my favorite hockey players, but I give him a lot of credit for turning his life around.

[@branttmyhres5049]

Incredible story! Coming from a guy that knows a bit about that life, this guy is a true legend, on and off the ice.

[@mikeareal]

The guy is a living legend! His stories are just amazing! Those interview clips of him just plowed were shocking!

[@joemartines3545]

Very well done program with lots of excellent hockey footage. Great story with a good ending.

[@rickarmishaw3074]

Interesting story/life experience of 1 of my favourite NHLers, Derek Sanderson.Thanks for sharing this download.

[@hellidontknow74]

Thank you for posting this video. Couldn't find for sale or rental but had watched it on HBO. Was able to share it with a friend. So thanks again.

[@bigbadbruins1]

I loved watching him play.Thank god he got sober.I also got sober 16 years ago.

[@smichaels10]

What a life though. Even though he had some very dark time, he survived so I'm sure it was all worth it.

[@northernlight696]

Derek is a hero to many - well done !

[@giuseppepandolfo4815]

I lived those times in Boston , it was unreal Orr , the Turk , and espo. Wow thanks for the memories

[@bbb462cid]

I agree. I did not give you a thumbs up though. That would change the number of thumbs up from 4.

[@algman7176]

This is an uplifting inspiring story that touches the hearts and minds of hockey fans about the incomparable power of human frailty and survival

[@RayManzarekRocks]

My son's middle name is Derek because of you know who. The original made a indelible mark on sports and its culture. Turk and Joe Namath invented cool.

[@dougbrowne9890]

An inspiring story. Glad to see Derek cleaned up and made a happy time, later in life.

[@fernfreeman1729]

I remember him growing up, Derek was a cool guy, on top of the World then. He had it all, talent, money and fame and no doubt lots of girls too.

[@rayfoote]

The Turk was a tremendous help to me to quit drinking and drugging. I'll never forget him or the acts of kindness and leadership to me. Thank you Turk !!!

[@paulelliott3220]

Great post Thanks

[@blueforrester8459]

excellent documentary and story. very inspiring. they should make a movie out of this guy!

[@robertjones1543]

They did .it was terrible.dogshit movie .should have been great.look at the material .play boy bunnys exciting

[@GassersGhost]

I have a special connection to Mr. Sanderson. My entire life I have heard the phrase "DAMN IT, DEREK!" I'm a little on the "high energy" side and I was named after THE Derek Sanderson.

[@1949LA-ARCH]

Great story !

[@Pece17]

Thanks for putting this up! I just ordered Sanderson's book...in Finnish and English!

[@paulelliott3220]

Pece17 Just finished the book, excellent read

[@rebelbaron7003]

I'm really glad Derek was able to make the 360 degree turn that most people can't. God reached out and touched him. I want to make a couple points that were lost in this biography. I am a hockey nut and have been since five. We were living in Chicago so I was a Blackhawk fan. At the time Phil Esposito was Bobby Hull,my heros,center man. The year Hull scored 50 goals he went in and asked Arthur Wirtz,the owner for a raise. They eventually gave it to him but gave Hull a hard time. Well,Espo went in to Wirtz and asked for a raise also saying who do you think passed the puck to Hull? Espo didn't get the raise. So Wirtz then packaged Kenny Hodge, Fred Stanfield,and Espo to the Bruins....making the artistry of one of the very best hockey teams of all time. Half the Blackhawk team went to Bahston. I wanted to say that Derek was one damn good hockey player,period. First,one of the best faceoff men ever.Derek rarely lost faceoffs to anybody. Whenever the Bruins needed to get control of the puck Derek was out there.....not Espo,not Freddie,Derek. Second,one of the very best penalty killers of all time. Great instincts where the puck was going. Third,a great scorer. Was a consistent 25- 35 goal scorer and great passer,made his linemates look good. Was a great mucked and Rackers dug the puck out of the corners,knowing full well he was going to get hit,then creating a scoring opportunity. As I think about the years I've been a hockey fan,I can't name but a few players as good as Derek.

[@baselinesweb]

I painted #16 on my skates when I was a kid - loved the man.

[@dpayne6567]

Great doc.

[@Ed513513]

I grew up with Bobby and Derek having no clue who they were. Always were just family friends, and I had no clue what legends they are

[@dennis3351]

Glad you made it Derek.

[@RicPhlare]

Inspiring story.

[@michaeltomas4021]

What a great story!!

[@dostfez]

Great doc...and as a boy I thought he was the man ...always wondered how he would have fared maybe 20 years later....just another 3rd liner?...or still a potent force?

[@jameshadfield6039]

thanks for this. Derek was the coolest and it almost cost his life being hockey's rock star. I'm glad that he not only made it back, but has given back. nice that you had Eddie westfall in this as those two along with Bobby were the greatest penalty killers the league has ever seen. MR. ORR is just so genuine,I believe and wish he was the commissioner! as for those dickheads with the negative comments,they can go suck, holier than thou,It was a much tougher and better league back then! talking about a sucker punch? well the dope should have been lookin= like they tell the boxers " defend yourself at ALL times!" peace and thanks for the memories.

[@axxellein]

Excellent

[@terrencedeagle4429]

This guy had it all...smart..good looking...great athlete. He blew it...shame. This would make a great movie.

[@terrencedeagle4429]

@Tuxi Politix Page 2 Sanderson still looks great. His story would make a great movie. He's a survivor.

[@noahf342]

"pre-game meal a steak and a blonde!" Great documentary about him. Before my time but remember reading about him in the 1980s

[@peterjeffery8495]

Loved it.... great memories of hockey's first real rockin rebel but I gotta tell ya, the nickname "Turk" only fits when looking at young Derek with the longish hair, hippie threads and that trademark mustache. Give anyone a list of 100 nicknames and asked me to pick the one that best fits the elder Mr. Sanderson I doubt anyone would have guessed right. .

[@Grandtrunk]

Nice video. I enjoyed watching those Bruins with Sanderson as they played the Red Wings. Alcohol is still glorified in both Canada and the US. It is a miracle he didn’t develop cirrhosis and eventually cancer of the liver, or that he didn’t O.D causing death. Looks great now

[@user-xk9is2ho5w]

Best sweep check ever!

[@smichaels10]

Very entertaining documentary!

[@BobSmith-in2gn]

Bobby Orr doesn't bail on his friends. He back Sanderson and recently was one of the few in the NHL who stood by Grapes.

[@bbb462cid]

If everybody had a single friend like Orr, we'd all be better off.

[@50redryder]

What a great story.

[@ronbonora7872]

Great video! Sanderson was a very good player. I enjoyed going to Maple Leaf Gardens to watch him and the Bruins play when they were the best team in the world in the early seventies. However, Bobby Orr is not only the greatest player ever, but the most humble and greatest friend a person could have. I do think though that Orr would have beat Sanderson in that fight in junior. LOL

[@bbb462cid]

Sanderson is under-rated. He was a great face-off man and I do mean _great_ at them. And to be a 3rd line center and penalty killer and do what he did, he had to be talented and disciplined, which is something he never gets a lot of credit for. People say: how good could he be? He was 3rd line. How disciplined could he be? He was a wild man. He was 3rd line because Sinden recognized that this guy could do something unique for his team: be a shut-down checking center who could score, who could also step away from the glamour of being a hotshot goal scorer in order to focus on what the team needed: a solid defensive specialist. Sinden told Derek to do that, and Derek did. If the Selke was around back then, Sanderson would have contended for it. All the same though, people say to me, 'why do you have that funny looking (one guy told me it was 'fake', lol) #16 Bruins sweater?' I tell them because the player who wore it the year I was born, Derek Sanderson, was great at helpers. They think I mean on the ice. But I mean after his hockey career, when he spent his time helping kids in my home town.

[@Bruins-vq5ey]

They did fight in junior..at an exhibition game at the Garden

[@derekrobinson1609]

I was named after him. Thanks for sharing!

[@MultiPetercool]

I can’t help but think that the Sam Malone character from “Cheers” was partly based on Derek Sanderson.

[@davethompson3140]

What’s remarkable concerning Orr was this was also a difficult financial time in Orr’s life; when he was forced into retirement he found out the hard way that his Shawn, Alan Eagleson, had screwed him throughout his career. Even through financial difficulty, Orr stood by his buddy (although just being Bobby Orr must had open doors not open to the general public.)

[@Grandtrunk]

Eagleson ended going to prison, deservedly

[@James-tt7vg]

Fantastic compelling life lesson !!! Thanks for your thoughts Derek.

[@robertjones1543]

I was a bigtime bruin fan at this time and gotta tell you losing sanderson hurt that team bad.he was bostons bobby clarke.a 3rd line ctr that could have started on and 1st line in the league.he was the straw that mixed the drink!!!!!

[@lowbridgehit]

In 1984 he spoke at our high school in Winnipeg. One of our gym teachers played in the Bruins organization during DS time. Likely the connection.

[@jamesanthony5681]

What was the name of the gym teacher?

[@ckalnicki]

He’s the best....

[@5inthehole]

I’d like to hear some of the stories he had when he was in Boston. They must be some funny stuff ( like when Espo brought Andre Savard to Sanderson’s house; Sanderson open the door with a beautiful naked blond behind him...he said “Welcome to the big time kid”! ,even though what happened to him was no laughing matter.

[@quincee3376]

Thx.

[@ylekiote99999]

This is pretty much every man's story without the fame and fortune.

[@lovenlightman]

Every man?u think every man get addicted to drugs or alcohol?

[@Paolo7219]

You should read Sanderson's book, "I've got to be Me". Interesting book.

[@teresairelandterryireland1454]

I remember him.

[@papabits5721]

Bobby Ore is one of the classiest guys ever.

[@dzanier]

God bless Derek and Bobby Orr.

[@daveyboy_]

Every time they showed Rod Gilbert, u can see the disdain on his face

[@sportsdogs7927]

Ken Dryden once described the Boston Bruins as a Pier 6 brawl waiting to happen, in one of his books. I sensed that Dryden and the Habs players were a little bit envious of the Bruins and they way they had that Boston Bruins swag whenever the Habs passed the Bruins at the airport! Is it just me or did the players just have so much more personality in those days. Is it just me or is there something missing in the game today that was there before, the mutual hatred, the competitiveness of it all, the fights! Bad Brad Marchand would have fit right in back in those days. lol! There is very little contact in the games today. The fierce competitiveness is long gone. I love watching these old video. I am happy for Derek that he managed to turn his life around. Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Eddy Westfall, and probably all the players on the Bruins and Sinden...all great friends, there for Derek when he needed them most.

[@DonQwantsyou]

different world, different game, different players, different rules. the bruins of the early 70s had hall of fame and great players who established all time league records that lasted for decades. those players as well like sanderson, orr, esposito, mckenzie, bucyk w=, cheevers were great characters and were very much like celebrities and not only in boston. the league was also a lot smaller and it was easier to remember the other players in the league and they were also more recognizable because you could see their faces and haircuts during a period when few players wore helmets,

[@jamesanthony5681]

I'm not sure about Boston, but Dryden wrote that he felt sorry for Bobby Clarke and the way the Flyers used fighting and intimidation to win those 2 Stanley Cup. Dryden said the Canadiens and Scotty Bowman did it the right way, in so many words.

[@williamlacombe8958]

I watched Sanderson through his entire Bruins career and my opinion he was a fantastic player only orr Esposito were better than derek.best penalty killer ever.and short handed goal scorer I'll heads up

[@wgnbrnrs1116]

Read his book, not really a huge reader but man it was an unreal story

[@darrenp1549]

Read his book "Crossing the Line" it's AMAZING and eye opening.

[@JayRiemenschneider]

He was uno numero

[@KarmicOmen]

The post-game altercation in 1974 was in California, after a 6-1 loss against the Seals. The other Bruins player that Derek got into a fight with, was Terry O'Reilly. I have a lot of respect for Derek because he turned his life around. He hit rock bottom, but he bounced back and he gave back.

[@KMK7355]

Fred Willis tuned him up and put him in the hospital.

[@daniel213141]

The football player?

[@KMK7355]

Yes was a football and hockey player at BC.

[@iwantthe80sback59]

Was the Cheers bar based on The Daisy Buchanan bar? Anyone know?

[@secondchance1503]

HE WAS ONE HANDSOME DUDE

[@patrickfurlong9169]

Orr would have beat the shit out of him. That sucker punch he hit that guy with in junior was a pure punk move too.

[@kevindean1327]

Yeah that was a total pussy shot then he hit him when he was out cold, sad!!!

[@KMK7355]

He would be brought up on charges and convicted today. That's a total loser move.

[@user-db6pt7vr3l]

Loved hockey and the fighting until I grew up, then I moved on to the professional North American sports, baseball, basketball and football.

[@PaulMAruba11]

Derek ended up on a park bench in Beachmont in Revere, Mass. but luckily for him, he had people to help him out...a side note, how BAD was the Goaltending back then ?!?

[@LiberalLoser]

No helmet, no mask. The sensible thing to do is to dodge that puck.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Goaltending was pretty good with the equipment they had. Only 12 teams in 1967, and they were the best goalies in hockey.

[@axxellein]

All Right

[@johnshields6852]

Booze is brutal, i grew up with an alchoholic and it was scary.

[@skateboardingwillneverdie8331]

AA is a good thing... Look into it,if your struggling... Mr.sanders would tell you, its not what i lost.. Its what came back to me. I own a skateboard co. Because im sober... 1 drink,its all gone

[@rickroll9086]

At 8:10 he knocks out a kid (it’s junior hockey) as they just stand there; Sanderson checks to see if he can catch him looking the other way. What a psycho.

[@KMK7355]

Psycho? That was a sucker punch and Sanderson would literally be arrested, convicted and serve time today. Lost all respect for him.

[@julianciahaconsulting8663]

Anyone know where one can watch Sa nderson's talk show on the net? that could be some classic 70s stuff haha..being a beantown fan in the 1970s i will always have a soft spot for the Turk

[@andreetandre]

The background music is louder than the narrator wich is annoying.

[@derekfreeman1817]

I'm one of those kids...named Derek.

[@songwriterjj6022]

"Are you a nun?" LOL

[@kevinshea6293]

Wow what a life makes you stop and think what you can really do

[@davidgibbs381]

Something's not right that to be considered cool, you must have acted like a fool. In my book, Bobby Orr is the epitome of Cool! Always enjoyed watching Sanderson, Orr, Esposito. . .the Bruins play, and I am lifelong Black Hawk fan.

[@robertjones1543]

A guy named Ace Bailey played on that bruins team .tall handsome blonde haired guy.litterally was on one the hijacked 9/11 jets.i think one of the ones thst flew into the towers

[@bbb462cid]

Garnet 'Ace' Bailey. His plane hit he South Tower. Also on board travelling with him was a scout named Mark Bavis. I went to High School with Mark and his twin brother Mike.

[@highdsociety923]

only 112k views in 7 years... cc'mon hockey people!!

[@bwill613]

The police trying to separate a hockey fight....lol!!!!

[@smithryansmith]

at 29:19 anybody know which of those boys is young Brett Hull?

[@michaelcanney7218]

The kid to the right of the big check

[@cbrockbishop1566]

I love how they call Derek 'aggressive' 'tough' 'feisty' 'a thorn'... LOL He was dirty! Dirty as a Flyer! HAHAHA Glad he beat his demons. He was the best TV analyst ever, (if you were a Bruins fan) . Derek was 'branding' before anyone was using the term! Way to go Turk.

[@christopheroliver2465]

Always cook a steak on the stove with the handle facing inwards! Derek's mom told him this and once he forgot, leaving him burned all over his body in steak and French fry grease. Happened when he was living in Fort Erie, Ontario.

[@bbb462cid]

that's all true

[@dnx112]

Ouch

[@111oooo]

I remember seeing the first games of the WHA, they were laughable, it was slow motion. They got better of course especially with Winnipeg Jets with Hull and two Swedes and this young Gretzky guy

[@billviola7884]

People have no idea the person Bobby Orris and was.

[@randomperson-tt2sk]

Why’d this get emailed to me I dont even like sports I sit and play games and smoke why