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Theo Fleury spent $400K every two weeks on booze, whores, and coke

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FairWarning

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Damn. Would like to see Playing with Fire, Hope they show it in the US

http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2012/05/08/theo-fleury-playing-with-fire/

Written by Derek Snider

Theo Fleurys autobiography Playing With Fire was an instant bestseller with 80,000 copies shipping in the first six weeks after its 2009 release. In the year after the books debut, documentary film director Larry Day followed Theo Fleury on his promotional book tour. What Day and his crew captured is an honest and sometimes brutal recount of Fleurys tumultuous life.

Early in the film we see the positive impact Fleury and his book have had, but the movie takes severe detours from Theos book tour and delves into the darkest times of his life. Looking for closure in the two cities where his behaviour (on and off the ice) was the most erratic, Fleurys attempts to make amends are rejected by both the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks. I suppose those organizations are still having trouble with the idea that Theo blew $400,000 of their money every two weeks on strippers, cocaine and boozedid I mention $400,000 EVERY TWO WEEKS? (Spoiler Alert: In one wild Chicago weekend Fleury spent $1.2 Million on a partyby himself!)

The movie picks up where the book leaves off on a number of fronts. The most shocking, of course, involves Theos account of the abuse he suffered at the hands of convicted sex-offender Graham James. Fleurys description of the abusive acts inspires both anger and disgust. But its the way in which Fleury simply states the facts without emotion that is truly disturbing for the viewer. It is not easy listening for the faint of heart.

There are many faces to Theo Fleury, and the movie engages them all. Fleury is hailed as a returning hero by Madison Square Garden parking lot attendants and as a champion for the many abuse survivors that he has inspired. But we also see a broken man, angered and frustrated, unable to remember the address of a home he lived in for four years in New Mexico.

As discussed in this video interview with Rob Pizzo, Playing with Fire is truly a fascinating character study of one of the most volatile hockey players of all time, and one this reviewer recommends. Following its featured premier at Torontos Hot Docs Film Festival, Theo Fleury: Playing with Fire the documentary will air on HBO Canada on May 9th.
 
Yeah Theos story is fascinating.

FW not sure how much coverage his story got in the USA but up here he has had plenty of media exposure.

I saw some from Detroit (basically Canada-style coverage) but little elsewhere. Thats why I have to go to Canada for the good stuff. I'll have to watch this on the net when it comes out. It did get some air-time in Chicago today.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Best

Such was Best's talent and charisma that he became one of the first celebrity footballers, but his subsequent extravagant lifestyle led to various problems, most notably alcoholism which he suffered from for the rest of his adult life. These problems affected him on and off the field throughout his career, at times causing controversy.[3] He often said of his career that "I spent 90% of my money on women, drink and fast cars. The rest I wasted".
 
Damn, that's a lot of money to blow through. Used to love him when he played for the Flames because he seemed so tough despite how small he was. Going to have to get his book and try to track down this documentary online. Thanks FW :)