Open Letter to the Burke Family

By now, you've probably heard of the loss former Ducks GM Brian Burke and his family suffered last Friday, February 5, 2010.  Burkie's youngest son, Brendan Burke, was killed due to injuries sustained from an automobile accident in Indiana. Though I have never met Brendan, I admired his courage as so many others did when he came out as a gay man to ESPN's John Buccigross last year.  I recall reading about the challenges he faced as a young, gay athlete in a sport dominated by machisimo -- a sport championed by his rough-and-tough, old-school brand of hockey-preaching father.  I recall being moved by his courage to come out and the emotional chord it struck within me when I read how accepting his family had been. At twenty-one, Brendan managed to stand as an inspiration to many people, myself included. To the Burke family, My deepest sympathies to you as you deal with the tremendous loss of Brendan.  Please know that he has served as an ins...