Patrick Sharp Address Rumors About Personal Life

Feb 24, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Patrick Sharp (10) celebrates after scoring against the Florida Panthers during a shootout at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Florida Panthers 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp‘s personal life has been the subject of online rumors over the course of recent weeks. Sharp addressed the rumors on Sunday with reporters and the veteran forward is also considering taking legal action.

While speaking with reporters after practice on Sunday, Chicago Blackhawks’ forward Patrick Sharp addressed the rumors circulating about his personal life.

“It’s been tough,” Sharp said. “As a hockey player, as a professional, you’re out there, and you’re up for grabs for on-ice play. I’m okay with that. Trade rumors, talk about my play on the ice. I’m fine with that. I can handle that. But when people delve into your personal life and make up rumors and things that are completely false and untrue, it takes a toll on you. And it takes a toll on your family, your friends, and it’s completely unnecessary.

“It’s been tough, but I know I’ve got a strong group of teammates here, we’re going to stick together. It’s almost laughable. I wish I could say it’s comical, but when it’s your name involved, it takes a toll.”

Sharp also told reporters on Sunday that he is considering taking legal actions against those spreading the rumors.

“It’s definitely something I’m pursuing, thinking about, talking to a lawyer,” Sharp said. “I feel like you hear things said about people all the time, it’s like anybody can type something on a computer and get away with it and not be held responsible or accountable. I mentioned earlier, it is laughable, it’s comical, but when it affects your family, when you’ve got two little girls at home, and your parents are calling you, it takes a toll.”

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Despite what the rumors suggest, Sharp has the support of his teammates. Blackhawks’ defenseman Brent Seabrook, who wasn’t even asked about Sharp’s situation, took time on Sunday to support his teammate.

“You know I think there’s been a lot of stuff being made here on social media lately,” Seabrook said. “You know, being a leader on this team, I think this team’s never been tighter. We’ve never been a tighter group. Some of the rumors that have been said, I think are laughable. You know, there’s nothing going on in this locker room.

“I’ve been here 10 years and nothings been going on, so we’re a tight group. We’ve got everybody’s back here and we’re focused on our jobs, which is getting into the Stanley Cup playoffs, first and foremost, and winning another championship. So, I just wanted to talk about that a little bit.”

Blackhawks’ captain Jonathan Toews also came out in support of Sharp.

“At the end of the day, we always say the only thing that matters is what’s said and what’s done within this locker room, and as of late there’s definitely been — whether its rumors or things that have been spreading or going around outside the room — what we know there’s absolutely no truth to. Some times it’s hard on individuals, but we get through it as a team and we focus on the things that matter, and that’s playing hockey,” Toews said. “We’re happy to do that, and as a team we’re getting better and better as the season goes on.”

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There is no need to mention the rumor that started this controversy but anyone with a knowledge of google can find it with relative ease.

What should be taken from this incident with Sharp is that all of his Blackhawks’ teammates have come out in support of him. If the rumors had any ounce of truth to it, then that would not be the case. Furthermore, Sharp would be traded before the 2 p.m. trade deadline on Monday. That won’t be the case. Instead, Blackhawks’ general manager Stan Bowman assured Sharp and his agent that the forward will not be traded.

Hopefully, the statements from the Blackhawks’ on Sunday can put this mockery of reporting to bed where it belongs. Despite their recent struggles on the ice, things are looking up for the Blackhawks. After the acquisitions of forward Antoine Vermette and defenseman Kimmo Timonen, the Blackhawks are equipped get through the next 12 weeks without Patrick Kane and then have Kane return for the Western Conference finals.

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