What they're saying about Jaromir Jagr's jersey retirement
Feb. 19—Jaromir Jagr watched his No. 68 float up into the rafters in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, a powerful moment in a long and storied career that still has yet to reach its conclusion.
One matter Jagr — who both owns and continues to play for a Czech hockey team — tried to set straight is how he wants to be remembered in Pittsburgh — as a player and a person.
"You know what, those two kind of (don't) go together when I was thinking about my hockey life," Jagr said during a news conference before the ceremony. "If you want to accomplish something in this sport or any business, it's tough to be a nice guy. I don't know if I explained that right, but there's something what everybody wants. To be the best, to score the most goals, win the Stanley Cup. That's my job."
Reaction came in from all corners of the X (formerly Twitter) hockey world about the 52-year-old's jersey retirement.
First, there was the wild shot of Jagr heading out for warm-ups with the team.
Some took it harder than others.
There was plenty of video evidence of Jagr making people look foolish on display.
A story in The Athletic enumerated some great Jagr stories. Flying the team plane, anyone?
A little Pittsburgh sports perspective never hurt anyone.
Player agent Paige Dixon credits the Jagr-era Penguins with inspiring her current career.
If you were ever wondering, 'Did Jagr ever score a hat trick and then four more points against the New York Islanders?' Why yes, yes he did.
Who's cutting onions? A lot of people in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, apparently.
Let's not leave conspiracy theories out of this.
And let's round things out with a snarky take on the Kings winning on Jagr's celebratory night.
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.
