Gross Misconduct

This is a very well written book that keeps you very involved. This book gives you a great account of the average professional athlete and what their life can entail. On the whole a sad tragic story in many ways. Books like this can always cause some soul searching.

I grew up in the 1970's as a big hockey fan. I loved the hard-nosed scrappers. None was more hard-nosed or scrappier than Brian Spencer. I knew Brian as an exciting, intense player, who had a decent career playing for a few teams. What I did not know was the hardships he faced all through his life. His father was an overly intense man, who once knocked out a young Brian while 'teaching' him to be a better player. His father would also play a tragic part in Brian's first NHL game. After his career, Brian's life went in a downhill slide which included a murder trial. Brian was eventually acquitted due to lack of evidence, but the ordeal took its' toll. Eventually, Spencer's life seemed to be on the upswing, only to have tragedy intervene once again. This time, it was permanent, as Spencer was killed while being held up. This is a great book, which examines every part of Spencer's life. This is an honest look into Spencer's life on and off the ice, which was often sad, tragic and ugly. After Spencer's career ended, I, as a young fan, wrote a letter to Spencer's family trying to obtain a signed picture. I had no idea what was developing in his life, until the FBI called my house to determine my involvement with Spencer. I was advised to stop my attempt to communicate with him until all was resolved. After reading this book, I finally got the whole story.