In Defence of Don Cherry: Behind the bluster, there’s a message worth fighting for

Sportsnet makes a case for hockey’s most colourful commentator

Also in this issue, on newsstands now:

• The Warrior’s Sacrifice: Former MMA champ Enson Inoue risks his life to help survivors of the Tōhoku earthquake in Japan

• A Slugger’s Second Chance: Josh Hamilton’s road from addiction to World Series

• Making Believers: The Bills’ unlikely rise from laughingstock to playoff lock

TORONTO (October 27, 2011) – The latest issue of Sportsnet magazine revisits Don Cherry’s now-notorious rant on Hockey Night in Canada. His comments were met with near-universal condemnation and subsequent apology elicited a resounding silence, putting Cherry’s future in television in question.

In the midst of the controversy, reporter Jay Teitel comes to the defence of Cherry and the messaging he represents.  Beneath the rock ’em, sock ’em attitude, “Cherry is largely tuned to the feelings of people he thinks are being wronged.” Is it too late for Cherry to redeem himself?

The Warrior’s Sacrifice Former MMA champ Enson Inoue was a risk junkie who hurt people for a living. Now, he’s risking it all to help the forgotten survivors of the Tōhoku earthquake in Japan.

Evan Rosser brings Sportsnet readers into Japan’s nuclear hot-zone to speak to the fighter-turned-hero about sacrificing his dreams to help those affected by the quake.

A Slugger’s Second Chance Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton virtually destroyed his once-in-a-generation talent with drugs and alcohol. Now sober, Hamilton is attempting to put his dark past behind him.

In part one of a two-part series, Hamilton speaks to Sportsnet contributor Shi Davidi about overcoming obstacles— from injury to tragedy—on the road to the World Series.

Making Believers After years of mediocrity, the Buffalo Bills are unexpectedly gunning for the playoffs. Leading the way is quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, a Harvard graduate who has piloted the Bills to an improbable 4-2 start this season. Will this team of misfits be the key to locking in Buffalo’s first playoff spot in over a decade?

Also in this edition:

• Roughly one month into his new job as the NHL’s chief disciplinarian, Brendan Shanahan’s honeymoon is over.  Scott Morrison explains the backlash

• The Whiz Kid: Meet the CHL’s Kyle Dubas, the youngest GM in hockey

• Sucks to be Lou: Is there anything Roberto Luongo could have done to save himself? • Scott Feschuk’s survival guide to 12 hours of uninterrupted NFL Sunday coverage • Stephen Brunt weighs in on the decline of the Toronto Argonauts

About Sportsnet magazine

Sportsnet is Canada’s only biweekly sports magazine. It is Canada's leading source for in-depth perspective and inside reports on hockey, baseball, football, soccer and other professional sports and premier amateur sports. Sportsnet magazine is part of the multiplatform Sportsnet brand, which exists on five platforms: television, radio, digital, mobile and print. It is published 26 times a year by Rogers Publishing Limited, a division of Rogers Media Inc.

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