Gordie Howe - On School and Fighting in the NHL

Hockey great Gordie Howe talks about how he ended up leaving school and the physical side of his game.
This excerpt was from the television program Conversation. The interviewer was Matthew White and was produced and directed by John Richardson.

[@BBBYpsi]

The size of his hands alone should be enough to scare the hell out of people

[@patcampion716]

One of my worst bonehead things I did was one night Gordie, Mark and Marty came to our church and did a question and answer outing, signed autographs etc. I was probably in 6th grade. Well I one a raffle which was for a signed stick by all of them. I ended up using the stick to play hockey with and broke it. Man what a souvenir that would have been. We were sure blessed in Detroit with Gordie and the Howe’s.

[@andrewnorris1514]

You ain't lyin. What a man. I got to shake his hand on a plane going to Hartford. He was a sitting next to Colleen. I said let me shake your hand he stuck out that huge paw and said Dont Hurt Me. His hand was as big as Shaqs

[@erikness4231]

I'd have been honored to use a stick signed by the Howe's.

[@lisazinn866]

U r an injut

[@ReeseChown]

Mr. Hockey wanted you to put that stick to use, not let it sit in a closet for years. You had good intentions man!

[@howardcraigiv518]

wow…. it would be amazing to of had a stick from the True Legend of Hockey. Gordie was such a straight forward no non sense Individual.

[@sarkisiangeorge]

Gordie talks about the Galt metal industry. My dad’s family is from Galt. My grandfather worked for galt metal in the foundry starting about 1920. Dirty, Smokey, noisy place. Lots of the old timers died of lung cancer. Gordie was in a few of my youngest aunt’s classes before he dropped out. The red wings had their minor league club in Galt for a while. Bobby Hull attended galt collegiate school about a decade later.

[@wolvves4293]

I wish the NHL was more like this, "Can't say I didn't warn him". Perfect.

[@MrThebigplay]

When I was a little boy watching hockey night in Canada..when gordie scored I would get ssooo excited that I would cry ..I idolized him as a man and a player ...

[@talister106]

'' I would pull the stick forward and give them a little shot", Gordie`s elbow was legendary to all that met it. One of my favorite all time players.

[@SavitTheGoalie]

Mr Hockey for a reason

[@dwightstorie8163]

Gordie was awesome.... cold blooded assassin

[@jasongoodman3495]

I wouldve loved to play with Gordie. He was the kind of guy you knew would have your back on the ice

[@dnx112]

Gordie was a class act who was the greatest NHL player by far ever. GORDIE GORDIE GORDIE GORDIE.

[@brianmouland209]

Never turned down an autograph

[@natkingcurrieiv1318]

THE GREATEST ALL AROUND PLAYER IN HISTORY...AS WELL AS ROCKY MARCIANO ON SKATES!..REST IN PEACE #9.

[@ericgoldfarb4870]

I was in an adult hockey league in 1987 that gordie was associated. Most players were beginners. Gordie and marty did a clinic for us. It was great never forget seeing gordie skaking behind some guy who could barely skate and slashing the guys ankle. Gordie thought this was hilarious. This wasn't during a game just warmup.

[@colinelliott8768]

Fave Gordie story. Lining up for a face off. One of his line mates, probably Ted Lindsay says "when are you gonna something about that guy?". I can't remember who the lottery winner was now. But Gordie grabbed the puck and labelled him in the teeth with it then replied... "Are ya happy now????". Look at the size of his paws and imagine a puck slamming into your mouth.. Ref was either pissing himself trying not to laugh? Or crapping himself knowing he couldn't ignore it? I went to couple of WHA games as a kid. He is the ONLY guy I've ever seen score with a backhand from the BLUE line!!!

[@dannyboy6349]

Gordie...one very special man. Kind humble and the best guy you could ever meet. He told at a sports banquet, 'i don't have any shoulders so it looked like i was all elbows'...ha...not too sure about that. Gordie...so special...tough as H, very few messed with Mr. Howe. and could he play!! GIANT in all of sport.

[@xanbex8324]

Uh...don't mess with this guy!

[@bodanlunny1323]

Great ambassador

[@vincentcampbell8432]

really like this guy. think he should stay on top. today.!

[@alancameron2433]

Bless the sacred memory

[@charlesmurphy3222]

It was never personal. All business, #9.

[@marvfried9002]

Wise suggestions about education

[@jamesewanchook2276]

best ever!

[@merccadoosis8847]

Gordie bemoans losing his high school education to pro hockey. I say just the opposite - his "loss" was our gain. Am glad he and so many other great pucksters gave up school for the game. It is so much for this.

[@brianmouland209]

He was a child of the depression,made the right call

[@merccadoosis8847]

@@brianmouland209 Many people are learning that an education is of no real value. All you do is to run up tuition debt, go broke, and wind up in low paying jobs.

[@victoriadixon5521]

goodbye Mr hockey. take care of this one god.

[@kolptroop9983]

Yes - 1000000 percent, take care of our Gordie.

[@dr.detroit1514]

An opposing manager's advice to his players playing the Wings at the time: "Just let the Giant sleep."

[@bigbadbruins1]

Him and Teddy Lindsay on same team.Now u know why they won.

[@natkingcurrieiv1318]

I subscribed..Thanks John!!

[@domeniceufemia870]

Mr hockey gordie howe the best player forever with Detroit Hartford Aeros Houston ligue mondiale

[@SparkyBobcat-el8hf]

Meuillieur carriere Gordie ... best joueuer Mario LeMieux.

[@joyceseaver9350]

In the 70 s when the Russian team came to the USA to play , the Russian players called him “ Cement Elbows “ ! The G O A T !!!

[@krisl9717]

God

[@ReeseChown]

Very few legends and artists enjoyed school. Gordie would have worked at a factory if he didn't follow his dream.

[@lisazinn866]

Teeder Kennedy

[@standing0]

It's a sloped shoulder thing, you just gotta deal with it as best you can.

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

There is video out there of Gordie taking a back handed slap shot from the blue line and scoring on Montreal. Freak.

[@steveshutt6409]

That was in the 1980 playoffs vs Montreal. He scored on Denis Herron with that shot.

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

@@steveshutt6409 No, I think that it was in the 50's. It was against Montreal and the goalie was definitely maskless.

[@freddyfurrah3789]

Bobby Orr was the BEST.