Tough Guy: The Bob Probert Story

This documentary about this talented man just broke my heart, especially at the end when his wife & daughters were crying about his death :( One of my older brothers died in early 2000; he was a big coke head mid to late 70's early 1980. It damaged his heart beyond repair. He died sitting on his couch; who knew that it was coke?!? When they opened him up, they said his heart wall was paper thin. It blew out. Stay away from drugs folks. Let no one cry over you like Probert's family is in this documentary.The high side of this was watching Bob Probert play hockey, which I wish they would show more of, instead of the fights. This is a character study, however, and a cautionary tale. A 4 to 5 sheet write up of screw ups & legal issues like Probert's isn't very glorifying. All the best to his family.

Great

If you’re a fan of sports, Detroit, or Bob Probert, Tough Guy: The Bob Probert Story is going to tug at your emotions a little.Tough Guy starts by detailing how a guy like Probert could reach the level of being a crowd favorite of his hometown Detroit Red Wings. Although the Wings weren’t quite on their famous Cup Run, Probert provided a much needed boost in toughness and entertainment. All this came at a time when the Red Wings were known as the Dead Wings. Probie would turn out to be one of the players that would lay the ground work for the Red Wing’s dynasty that would soon follow his tenure. As long time NHL player Jermery Roenick described Probert in the documentary- “he was Mr. Detroit”.Unfortunately, Probert’s contributions would come at a cost. In order to continue playing (more so fighting) at such a high level, Probert had to resort to various substances to ease the pain. At several points in Probert’s career he faced legal issues ranging from cocaine possession to drunk driving.Probert’s demons would continue to haunt him for the majority of his life.Probert will be forever known as one of the greatest fighters in NHL history. Fans loved Probert’s rivalries with other NHL enforcers Wendel Clark, Tie Domi, and Stu Grimson. There was several references in the documentary about Probert’s injuries from these fights including CTE.When a documentary is able to build a strong emotional bond between the subject and the viewer, especially when the story has already been played out in real life, this is what I view as a classic documentary. A classic documentary can create this bond that will cause the audience to feel pride when the subject is successful, anger at controversial topics, and deep sadness at failures or death.

Grew up watching him play. My sister and I got to meet him at a Red Wing softball game in Alpena, MI. A lot of the wings players were there and it was an amazing experience for a young hockey player getting to meet those guys. Bob was so great with me and my cousins and especially my sister. His interaction with us kids was beyond anything I have known since from any celebrity/athlete I have come across. He was so much fun and took the time to sign autographs and pose for pictures. Larger than life is definitely a great description of Bob. We were just kids and knew really nothing about all of the noise around Bob and the things he struggled with in his life. What matters to me looking back on that day was meeting Bob and him having such a lasting impression on me after all these years. The glow of this larger than life character seemed to catch on through everyone around him. For a young hockey player/fan you couldn't ask for better. My parents still have a picture of him with my little sister from that day. He was wearing a goofy (disney) t-shirt. All the best to the Probert family.

I grew up playing hockey shortly after Probert's glory years and respect him as one the games greatest enforcers who was a skilled player as well. Obviously, I didn't know the guy but the documentary seems to encapsulate his life in a cluff note version well. The story clearly attempts to shift the blame of consequences away from his personal choices, but not to the extent that will lead most from assigning him some responsibility for his personal struggles. After watching the documentary I was left with impression lack of anyone holding him accountable mid teens onward other than his performance on the ice as the primary factor that held him back from ever maturing as an adult. He was quite self-centered in large part created by being revered for his hockey status shielding him from acknowledging responsibility for his actions. Despite alluding to chronic traumatic brain injury leading encephalopathy; I have a hard time believing chronic alcoholism, drug abuse and potentially anoxia from the heart attack didn't play a larger role in the findings of his brain autopsy. My take is he was responsible for victimizing more people than he was a victim himself by living up his personal desires, ultimately resulting in his life cut short. Although he provided for his family,a he didn't put his kids and wife above himself which was his greatest flaw. Someone else may watch this documentary and come to a completely different conclusion, which really represnts an overall well done documentary that is captivating.

He was fuckd up before hockey. I had friends of mine, bigger than Bob, just blue collar guys, did drugs, dwi's etc.. But we never made so many ....If we did what bob did as regular guys? We would have been done. I have had a few friends that did kill people drinking and driving and went to prison. After so many 'mistakes'? Really.....hard to feel sorry for him when so many working slobs like us did the same but after a few? You have to wake up.... If ya cant handle it big dude? DONT DO IT! Seems like us little dudes can handle it better, the booze, the drugs, hell Im 5.10 180 and I did more drugs than maybe even bob... however....I knew when to stop after binges...A man has to know his limitations!

hockey fans will obviously be captivated by this story, but so will those who don't consider themselves sports fans. tremendous insight from old and new interviews shed light on this troubled life...I cannot recommend this story enough - you simply must watch.

This was an excellent video on the life of the King of the Hockey Enforcers, the Heavyweight Champion of the NHL, Bob Probert, from Windsor, Ontario. It was funny, and sad, and heartwarming, and heartbreaking, all at the same time. I believe it was quite truthful - they didn't try to gloss over any of his warts, or diminish his good qualities, either one. He was just simply a human being, trying to cope with what life was throwing at him - just like all of us. The "hockey industry" is a meat grinder, brutally all about MONEY, and these young men are separated from parental guidance and thrown into that maelstrom at the tender ages of 14-15. Thrown into the mix is lots of cash, tons of drugs and alcohol, and predatory women (and men, too, as we've learned) - a lot for a young teenager to handle during such a crucial formative period in their "growing up" years. Their bodies take a terrible beating, and many of them pay for it later on in life with debilitating symptoms of repeated concussive injuries. They are truly the gladiators of the modern world. Not to be forgotten in this lifestyle, are the women who are brave enough to tackle being a "hockey wife." Man, you better be strong, and you sure better be in love with your man - because you sure are going to be tested, and then some. Dani Probert, Bob's wife, sure fit that bill - it appears she handled it with great grace and dignity. Her ongoing grief at his loss is still palpable during interviews. This video was a very truthful, poignant portrait of all concerned. And a cautionary tale for parents who have sons aspiring to a career in the NHL - a strong, steady, and above all WISE, hand is going to be required.

This dvd was ok, it's a sad story obviously but the footage wasn't great and the audio especially from Probert (I know he passed already so it was from previous interviews) was kinda bad as well. To be honest it was a bit of a disappointment to me.

Bob Probert was the undisputed champion fighter in the NHL for years - it eventually shortened Bob's life as he passed away as the result of a hard and dangerous lifestyle associated with his days as a fighter and player in the NHL.

Bob Probert was my favorite player growing up. Taken much to soon.

Movie was great! Case was a little crunched. I opened the case and pieces of the case fell out. Overall I'm happy