Long time Red Wings zamboni driver fired for most absurd reason
He's the man that for so many years would go out onto the ice at Joe Louis Arena pick up the octopus and swing it around as he walked off the ice. Al Sobotka is a legend for his pregame octopus swings during the Red Wings playoff games. Unfortunately, the club hasn't seen too many of those in recent times.
As the Wings said goodbye to The Joe a few years ago and moved into Little Caesars Arena, Al Sobotka followed them. He has been the zamboni driver for the Wings for 51 years. It appears his time with the Wings has come to an end as the Wings announced they had fired him. You may be wondering what in the heck could they have possibly fired a 67 year old beloved zamboni driver for. Well, I can assure you it is not what you would think. Sobotka was fired for urinating in a floor drain between two zambonis. Yes, you read that correctly, peeing into a floor drain.
Why was he peeing into a floor drain you might ask? Sobotka was diagnosed with benign prostatic hypertrophy - which causes frequent and uncontrollable urination problems. Clearly he wasn't going to make it to the washroom so he picked the next best thing, the floor drain. At least he used the drain right? He could've just said screw it and found a corner instead leaving a mess to clean up afterwards.
Sobotka is now suing the Red Wings for violation of civil rights claiming discrimination based on age and disability. This will be an interesting court case if it isn't settled before, just for the fact he peed in a floor drain.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
| POLL |
AVRIL 20 | 365 ANSWERS Long time Red Wings zamboni driver fired for most absurd reason Is urinating in a floor drain a fire-able offense? |
| Absolutely | 91 | 24.9 % |
| Not a chance | 274 | 75.1 % |
| List of polls |
|
8 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry Leafs Goalie Cayden Primeau Had Some Special Visitors in Attendance For Dramatic Win Over Buffalo |
|
10 hours ago | By Lukas Peters Goalie Safety Under Fire: NHL Faces Pressure to Change Equipment Rules After Stolarz Incident |
|
13 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram From Depth to Difference-Maker: Nick Robertson Stakes Claim for Top-Six Spot with Maple Leafs |
|
15 hours ago | By Ryan Smitheram Elliotte Friedman Addresses Timeline For Joseph Woll's Season Debut With Leafs |
|
16 hours ago | By Mike Armenti Maple Leafs Send Goaltender Down to American Hockey League Following OT Win |
|
17 hours ago | By Mike Armenti Legendary Coaches Corner Star Don Cherry Confirms Disappointing News |
|
18 hours ago | By Nick Matthews Craig Berube Shares Reaction to Maple Leafs' Gutsy Effort in Win Against Sabres |
|
20 hours ago | By Dean Chaudhry Maple Leafs Drop Promising William Nylander Update |