Toronto Maple Leafs: Joffrey Lupul Lends a Hand to Stranded Motorist
He might be nursing a broken hand, but that didn’t stop Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jeffrey Lupul from helping a stranded motorist over the weekend.
Lupul stopped to help a 80-year-old man change his tire on Saturday. The good Samaritan act happened around 1 p.m. on Dundas Street in the pouring rain.
The news of the act was broken by Lupul himself in a series of humorous tweets:
I am currently changing an 80 year old mans tire on Dundas in the rain.. How's your day?
— Joffrey Lupul (@JLupul) November 22, 2014
Didn't tell him that was first career tire change. But I am telling you. So heads up.
— Joffrey Lupul (@JLupul) November 22, 2014
It’s not known if the man recognized his famous saviour, but I’m sure he appreciated the assistance. For his part, Lupul declined to comment any further on the act when asked about it by reporters Saturday night.
Lupul’s subsequent silence, however, didn’t stop Twitter users from sharing their thoughts. Many of them left positive comments:
@JLupul – good on you Joffrey!
— Scotty Newlands (@scottynewlands) November 22, 2014
@JLupul aww. Good karma.
— Kathy (@leafsweetie) November 22, 2014
“@JLupul: I am currently changing an 80 year old mans tire on Dundas in the rain.. How's your day?” – Captain material IMHO
— Rob (@SamuraiPizzaRob) November 22, 2014
https://twitter.com/karavaninetti/status/536220967631355904
Of course, there were some negative comments, too:
But will you salute him after? “@JLupul: I am currently changing an 80 year old mans tire on Dundas in the rain.. How's your day?”
— HabsLinks (@HabsLinks) November 22, 2014
https://twitter.com/_Lenito/status/536220531536982016
@JLupul Don Cherry can change his own tires!
— Les Holmlund (@LesHolmlund) November 22, 2014
(Who doesn’t think Twitter can be a needlessly hostile environment at times?)
Of all these comments, I find the one about the salute snub particularly interesting because Lupul wasn’t even there when it happened – he’s been out since the start of the month with the hand injury. The comment seems to imply that had Lupul been dressed at the time and in the lineup, the Leafs wouldn’t have shunned their fans in such an obvious and unacceptable way.
In other words, Lupul provides the type of mature leadership that the Leafs desperately need right now before Dion Phaneuf and Company get the team into any further trouble.
I agree.
Let’s hope Lupul returns to the lineup soon. (Hint: he should be back tomorrow night.)
What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments section below.
The embedded tweet problem has been resolved… My apologies…