Now a break in our regularly scheduled programming

Over the weekend, I saw a story on ESPN that really moved me which is why I am not obscure movie songing today. It was an update on a former hockey player out of Detroit named Vladimir Konstantinov. It was 1997, the Red Wings had just won their first Stanley Cup in 42 years. They held the parade in downtown Detroit and the day after the team would never be the same again. I believe it was after a team golf outing that some of the russian players were riding in a limosine that hit a tree. The limo driver had a suspended license. Whenit was over, one other player had minor injuries, the team masseuer was paralyzed, and Konstantinov had extensive brain damage. This is a man who was a beast on the ice. The runner-up for the Norris Trophy that year (Best Defenseman). He was a leader and a key reason the Wings were champions. Flash forward to the following summer, the Wings won again, and there was Konstantinov, sitting in a wheelchair on the ice with the Stanley Cup on his lap. He was smiling like a child because unfortunately that was where his mental capacity was at the time. A proud man, beaten down by a freak accident. ...Flash forward to the present. ESPN followed Konstantinov through a couple days showing what his life is like now. He has regained much of his comprehension but his speech has lagged behind. They even showed him playing Uno with his wife. He can walk with the help of a walker but still needs 24 hour care. They even showed him on a golf course where he said that his short game is good. But the part that really got to me, was the scene of him watching the Wings practice, and watching a game from the press box, and just remembering. Remembering the life he had and that was so horribly taken from him. But yet he doesn't shy away from his past, he embraces it, and embraces his life as it is now. Taking the time to walk through the concourse of Joe Louis Arena during a Wings game. Meeting and greeting fans who say, "We love you Vladdy," "You were my idol growing up," etc... He lives his life as it is now, choosing to move forward, but yet respecting his past and the life he should have had. Truly an inspirational story. So in honor of the player Mr. Konstantinov was, and the human being he is today, I am choosing "The Warrior," by Patty Smyth as my song of the day.

"You run, run, runaway
It's your heart that you betray
Feeding on your hungry eyes
I bet you're not so civilized
Well isn't love primitive?
A wild gift that you wanna give
Break out of captivity
And follow me stereo jungle child
Love is the kill
Your heart's still wild

Shooting at the walls of heartache
Bang, bang!
I am the warrior
Well I am the warrior
And heart to heart you'll win
If you survive the warrior, the warrior

You talk, talk, talk to me
Your eyes touch me physically
Stay with me we'll take the night
As passion takes another bite, oh
Who's the hunter, who's the game?
I feel the beat call your name
I hold you close in victory
I don't wanna tame your animal style
You won't be caged in the call of the wild

Shooting at the walls of heartache
Bang, bang!
I am the warrior
Well I am the warrior
And heart to heart you'll win
If you survive the warrior, the warrior
I am the warrior

Shooting at the walls of heartache
Bang, bang!
I am the warrior
And heart to heart you'll win
If you survive the warrior, the warrior"