John Doe 2's mother shares thoughts on Kyle Beach interview and Gary Bettman presser

One of the more gut-wrenching things that came from Kyle Beach's televised interview with TSN's Rick Westhead was the segment where Beach broke down when another of Brad Aldrich's victims came up in the conversation, who was, at the time, a 16-year-old boy.

Beach was asked what he would say to John Doe 2 if he could speak with him, and appeared to completely break down at the thought of what Aldrich had done to the young man and he stared into the camera and actually apologized to John Doe 2, as if it was somehow his fault.

Over the last week, the mother of John Doe 2 had an opportunity to speak with Westhead, the journalist who is responsible for bringing an abundance of attention to this story, and she had nothing but empathy and gratitude for Beach for bravely coming forward.

«I just wanted to reach through and hold him,» she said of Beach, who felt so much guilt over what had happened to her son even though Beach was a victim himself. «I just wanted to tell him that everything is going to be okay, it's got to be okay. He's not at fault for this at all, not at all. He's a survivor, like my son. Yes, they were victims, but they're surviving now. And he is so courageous, and we admire him I just wanted to hold him like I held my son. And tell him I'm sorry. It didn't have to happen.»

She also took some time to address the subject of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who just last week, would not commit to offering assistance to her son and paying for counseling after what he endured at the hands of an NHL employee, much like what the NHL had offered to Beach and his family.

"I think [Bettman] needs a new job, that he needs to retire,» she said. «I don't think he has empathy for kids, or even young adults. And if he needs more information, I got a whole folder full of it here for him he can read. I've got the court documents of the conviction. If he needs more information to help my son, I have it. I'm more than willing to scan it and send it over to him»

If you ask me, John Doe 2's mother has hit the nail on the head. Bettman does not display the type of compassion that is necessary to be an effective leader in this day and age. It seems like the appropriate time for a change.

TSN.ca

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