Former NHL Player Unleashes Twitter Tirade

It appears former NHL player Steve Downie had a few things to get off his chest.

In what was hopefully a cathartic act, Downie took to Twitter recently and got quite real about a number of subjects and individuals.

The former Arizona Coyotes forward first unleashed a series of tweets painting his former team in a not so flattering light.

Downie reserved the bulk of his wrath for head coach Dave Tippett, who doesn't seem to respect his players all that much.

2nd shout out is to dave tippet and newel brown on running a great program down in AZ there's a reason there in last every year. #classless. — Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016 4th. I've never played on a team when my best player broke his hand in a fight. Hahah the game has changed. Or tippets an idiot — Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 23, 2016

Spelling and grammar notwithstanding, it's clear that Downie doesn't think very highly of Tippett.

Dude then began to go off on the NHL and concussions, always a fun subject.

Then this happened.

@stevedownie23 Speaking of concussions.. pic.twitter.com/6EfEg8ZRnQ — Drayton van As (@draytonvanas) December 24, 2016

Yes, that's Steve Downie absolutely destroying Dean McAmmond back in 2007.

Dude was not surprisingly concussed on the play, while Downie was treated to a 20-game suspension for his efforts.

Downie is genuinely remorseful about that play and his career in general, though, and he seems conflicted about his participation in such a violent game.

That hit is what happens when you watch don cherry rock em sock em videos from age 5 to 18. Nothing good comes from those vids — Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 24, 2016 I just did what I had to do to play. I still think about what I did to Dean macomond and what I caused him to go through with his family. — Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 24, 2016 But again, I did what don cherry said to do every Saturday night. Just fucking disgusted when I look back. Wish I never played. — Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 24, 2016 Sorry Don, but you called me a pussy for wearing a visor and trying to protect my eyes. Sad thing is I listened to you. — Steve Downie (@stevedownie23) December 24, 2016

That's some pretty raw stuff.

Of course, blaming Don Cherry for anything up to and including the extinction of the human race is never a bad idea.

We can all agree that there's no shortage of hypocrisy in professional sports pertaining to the glorification of violence.

Oh, and that Don Cherry is an idiot.