Former Teacher Looks to Cash In on Thornton’s Potty Mouth

Published on 14-Oct-2013 by Sam Jankis

NHL    NHL Daily Opinion

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Former Teacher Looks to Cash In on Thornton’s Potty Mouth

Last week, a reporter in Vancouver created a media controversy by printing what many thought to be off-the-cuff and off-the-record comments by San José Sharks stalwart Joe Thornton.

Since then, the debate over what constitutes ‘locker room talk’ has many players up in arms, and has many of Thornton’s past acquaintances trying to cash in.

One such person is Jumbo Joe’s former kindergarten teacher, Ms Baker. 

“When I read that article and saw what he said, I thought to myself, that’s ‘typical Joe’," said the 70-year-old Baker, who hasn’t seen Thornton in almost 30 years. “I’ve got plenty of stories of Joe as a 5-year-old, making farting sounds, looking up girls’ dresses, and talking about his willy. Oh, mercy! Did he love talking about his willy.”

Ms Baker plans to publish a tell-all book of her experiences with the future Hall of Famer.

“Apparently it’s fair game to print these stories now, so why wouldn’t I?” asked Baker, recounting an expletive-laced tirade that Joe once had during recess.

When questioned if it was ethical to publish statements made by a 5-year-old in 1984, the former schoolteacher responded frankly.

“If Joe didn't want these stories to come out, then he should have been more explicit that we were off-the-record.”

Ms Baker has asked Jason Botchford, the reporter at the center of this controversy, to write a forword for the book.

“He’s really opened the door for all of us who don’t have a clue what it means to be a reporter.”