Gregory Campbell Not Signing Injury-Related Photos At Upcoming Autograph Session
BOSTON (CBS) -- In the course of sports history, many athletes have refused to put their autographs on certain images for a variety of different reasons. Most often, the photograph reflects a brief moment that brings that player some embarrassment, due to an uncharacteristic loss of composure or surge of violence, for example.
It's interesting then that Boston Bruins fourth-line center Gregory Campbell is electing to not sign a specific image at an upcoming event, though it has nothing to do with embarrassment. Quite the contrary, actually, as Campbell will not be signing "any photos related to his injury," according to a flyer posted to Twitter by memorabilia company Your Sports Store. The promotion spread quickly via Twitter due to the note about injury photos.
Campbell's injury came during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, when he blocked a shot while killing a penalty and suffered a broken leg. Campbell fought to get to his feet and get his body in the way of more potential shots before the Bruins finally cleared the puck. Campbell skated to the bench 50 seconds after suffering the injury and received a roaring ovation from the appreciative home crowd. Though his season was ended prematurely due to the injury, the image of Campbell's toughness and commitment is one that won't soon fade in Bruins history.
Alas, perhaps as a sign he does not seek glory for his play, Campbell won't be putting his John Hancock on any pictures from that night in June.
Interestingly enough, Your Sports Store does have an autographed photo of Campbell's injury in its inventory, and it's going for $69.99.
The timidity from Campbell is not altogether surprising. For one, he's the last player who would ever seek out glory for the hard work he does on his ice, and his dozens of NHL fights (despite not being the world's most talented pugilist) show that he's committed to his team and his teammates above all else. He also said after the injury that he did not deserve to be put in the same category of Bobby Baun, who scored the overtime winner in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final after breaking his foot in the third period.
"I respect fully that feat of his," Campbell said of Baun, "and mine was nowhere near that, but it just goes to show you how tough you have to be to play in this league. There's 700, 800 players that are tough like that and play through things every day."
Back in June, Campbell also tried to take the spotlight off himself.
"I'm not going to put myself in front of anybody else and say I'm the picture of the Bruins. This original six organization [goes] back a long way. It kind of represents the city, a blue‑collar, hard‑working city with honest people," Campbell said. "There's 18 other guys in that room that would do the same thing, and that's what makes us successful and makes us a hard team to play against. I'd rather be known for my play other than getting hurt, but like I said, I just want to play hard for the team and for the players in that room."
It may be true that other hockey players would play through the pain of a broken leg, but there really aren't that many who would completely shy away from soaking in the spotlight after showing that kind of toughness. While Bruins fans who attend the event may be disappointed they can't get their injury pictures autographed, chances are that Campbell gains even more respect from a fan base that already holds him in the highest regard.
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