Monday, December 8, 2008

Billy Tibbetts update

Former NHL player will not be added to the Texas Brahmas roster after all

The Texas Brahmas quietly announced that Billy Tibbetts will not be added to the roster this season after all. The following press release was sent out by e-mail this afternoon:
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CORRECTED PLAYER INFORMATION

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas (December 8)- The Texas Brahmas announced that Billy Tibbetts will not be part of the Texas Brahmas Hockey Club. Tibbetts did not play any league games for the Brahmas in the 2008-09 campaign.
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No official reason was given by the team. The story of Tibbetts' signing was pulled from the Brahmas' website today.

I know Dan Wildfong wanted him here or he wouldn't have made the call to bring him in. I'm pretty sure Dan Wildfong didn't want to see this young man have to go, especially without even getting a chance to play.

I talked with Billy last Saturday night and found him to be a humble and likeable person. I watched fan after fan come up to him and let him know that he was welcome here. It's a shame that for whatever the specific reason, that welcome turned into a one-way ticket home. All he wanted to do was play hockey.

Regardless, the Texas Brahmas will move forward and will host the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees on Tuesday night.

As for Billy Tibbetts, I for one wish him good luck. Despite his past, everyone should have the chance for a positive future. I hope he can find it, within himself, and on the ice. There's too much talent residing there and more importantly, there's a man who deserves more than the judgement of others who haven't had to walk in his shoes.

Photo Credit: Robert Keith

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

No, I haven't walked in his shoes. Nor, I have walked in the shoes of the girl he raped. Bringing him in sends the wrong message to young athletes. Pro sports is just starting to get this. And it's about time. There are some bad choices that you will have to live with for the rest of your life and he has made his share of bad choices. Don't get me wrong. I wish him no ill will and hope that he can find a career that he enjoys and is good at. But, there are some historys that cannot be ignored and swept under the rug.

Anonymous said...

He has had many, many chances- you can bet he did something to screw this one up.

Anonymous said...

please mind your own business anonymouns man.....you haven't walked in either of their shoes like you said, so why is it you condemn? you, I, Billy, and every man/woman under heaven can receive grace and forgiveness for mistakes we have made, no matter what we have done and be completely cleansed.....Jesus basically said if you tear someone apart verbally, you are guilty as a murderer, have you ever lusted after a woman so as to commit adultery with her, is that ok? ...its not our job to judge and condemn bro....had to write you in hopes you would be led to learn of what forgiveness and grace truly is....you sound as one who holds on to things bro....please consider these things and whether you should be tearing down and slandering others (people you dont know personally) with your anonymous remarks....peace to you, sincerely, Matt O'Sullivan boston, MA....mjos79@msn.com

JDB said...

To our Anonymous Mystery Guests, first off, there was NO PROOF that Billy Tibbetts raped that girl! In my opinion, I personally think that Billy and this girl had a romantic moment, then after Billy took her virginity, her parents freaked out and took the liberty to press bogus rape charges against Billy! If he truly did rape the girl, then why didn't he get convicted for rape? FYI, He served 4 years for assaulting a police officer with a beebee gun. So, don't be so quick to judge. Judge yourself before judging others! I personally think that Billy Tibbetts did NOT rape anyone, nor he ever will! Now about his Hockey career? Many, many chances? LMAO, I don't think so. I think he was treated unfairly. He's better than 50% of the overrated bums that are in the NHL now! I do hope to see him back in the NHL ASAP! Matt O'Sullivan, you are one rightous genius. Preach on bro and God Bless you!
JOEY

PWeeandRunt said...

First, almost everything posted above is incorrect. Based on what I researched about the "rape" case, it was concentual and statutory in nature (he was 17, she was 15). It occurred at a drunken teen party. You fill in the rest. The parents of the girl argued AGAINST jail time, which is why Tibbetts didn't serve time for it. This fact flies directly in the face of a comment the presiding judge made, which was something to the tune of "This was one of the most brutal rapes I've ever seen." Really? So brutal that the parents argued against jail time and he in fact got no jail time? Tibbetts also didn't assault a police officer with a BB gun. He shot another kid in the butt with it during a drunken basement pool game. He did, however, verbally threaten a cop and his family, which got him in trouble, along with the assault with the BB gun. Basically we're talking about a parole violation here. One thing many of you have correct is that he's gotten chance after chance after chance and screwed them all up. Case in point, beyond all the teams he's played with over the years, Billy has also done at least two stints in jail since last suiting up in the NHL - including right this second. He just got two years.