Wrestler's Father Criticizes Linda McMahon

Hartford Courant ^ | October 25, 2010 | DANIELA ALTIMARI

[Cowman]

Wrestler's Father Criticizes Linda McMahon

October 25, 2010|By DANIELA ALTIMARI, altimari@courant.com

HARTFORD — The father of professional wrestler Chris Benoit came to Connecticut Monday to slam Republican U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon.

Michael Benoit urged voters to spurn McMahon's candidacy because, he said, the company she helped build and ran for many years, World Wrestling Entertainment, has shown a complete disregard for the health and safety of its performers.

One of those performers was Benoit's son, Chris Benoit, who killed his wife and young son before killing himself in 2007. Chris Benoit had taken steroids and suffered chronic traumatic encephalopathy as a result of being hit repeatedly in the head, Michael Benoit said.

After the tragedy, Linda McMahon did not reach out to the family, Michael Benoit said during a 90-minute press conference at the Hilton Hotel in Hartford. Benoit lives in Alberta, Canada. His visit to Hartford was paid for by the campaign of McMahon's Democratic opponent, Richard Blumenthal.

McMahon spokesman Ed Patru said Chris Benoit was responsible for killing his family.

"It is outrageous and reprehensible that Dick Blumenthal's campaign is now suggesting someone else is responsible for this heinous crime,'' Patru said. "The public overwhelmingly rejects the irresponsible notion that a murderer's behavior ought to be excused and instead someone else should be held accountable. And frankly, it's deeply troubling that Dick Blumenthal would take this governing philosophy to Washington and write laws in a way that reflects this thinking." In Benoit's view, McMahon's high-profile run for elective office has had one positive effect: It has shone a light on the business practices of WWE. Benoit said the company's performers were abused in the ring by having metal chairs thrown at them, endured a grueling schedule of performances, and sometimes turned to prescription painkillers to blunt the effects of the injuries they received.

WWE spokesman Robert Zimmerman said via e-mail: "The double homicide-suicide … was an extremely tragic and unforeseeable occurrence. The WWE cannot speculate on what led to the senseless murders and suicide, nor can WWE be held accountable for the tragic personal actions of Chris Benoit."

[Cowman]

I knew that Blumenthal was a slimy worm but using a grieving father like this is lower than I thought he'd go

[DarthVader]

This is going to hurt Blumenthal and bad.

[Perdogg]

I wonder where Chris’ father was when his son was shooting up steroids?

[svcw]

McMahon did not force him to take drugs, she did not kill his family. It has always boggled the mind when parents capitalize on their child's death for the almighty dollar and or fifteen minutes of fame.

[84rules]

Chris Benoit had taken steroids and suffered chronic traumatic encephalopathy as a result of being hit repeatedly in the head, Michael Benoit said.

Those steroids were personal choices, not editcs from McMahon. As for the physical nature of the "sport," even those not familiar with the details of Pro Wrestling know that it is possible to get hurt while performing.

I feel for the man's loss, but Linda McMahon isn't any more responsible for this than she is for someone overeating at McDonalds. Seems to me that this father is trying to avert his own responsiblity. After all, who taught the son about life and choices?

[laotzu]

If only she had been a better father to him.

[ontap]

My exact thought...his son was an adult and made a decision hundreds of adults before him made and all knew what might come of it.

[DesertRhino]

So his own father couldn’t influence his life choices, but the owner of the company his son worked for, should have been able to? Got it,,,

[ontap]

I wonder if he was on the sidelines cheering him on?

[ScottinVA]

World Wrestling Entertainment, has shown a complete disregard for the health and safety of its performers.

Nothing about personal responsibility or anything like that... too unfair.

[ScottinVA]

His visit to Hartford was paid for by the campaign of McMahon's Democratic opponent, Richard Blumenthal.

Blumenthal, you suck.

[King Moonracer]

Overwhelming grief and guilt from not parenting well. Send in the the Blumenthal vampire.

[Oldpuppymax]

Translation: The left is pulling out all the stops!

[DesertRhino]

Dang it,, we expressed exactly the same thought. But yours was the soul of elegant wit. Why can’t i ever do that,, just once,,,,,,,, dang it.

[Carley]

Exploiting the dad.

Much as he exploited real VN veterans by pretending to be one of them.

[Maverick68]

Benoit was a drug addict...

[Cheetahcat]

Bluming Scum shot himself in the foot here big time,She did nothing wrong and provided a venue where he could get very rich.

[Joe 6-pack]

Liberal logic:

During the whole campaign, we've been told McMahon isn't to be taken seriously because of her association with professional wrestling.

Now at the end of the campaign, we are expected to take her critic seriously because of his association with professionial wrestling.

[Pigsley]

Exactly. If the father can see the logic in blaming this woman...then he must see the logic of us blaming his bad parenting being the root cause of the murderous behavior of his son.

On the other hand....I just don't think a lot of us understand how people deal with grief. Lots of folks just can't deal with it and need to “blame” somebody. If I thought the guy was getting $$$ to do this it would be one thing...sadly I think he just wants to put some blame he feels onto somebody else so he can sleep at night.

[BigSkyFreeper]

The WWE ironically enough I’ve heard has the strictest substance abuse test in all of sports. Their tests are stricter than the Olympics. So, if Chris Benoit was taking steroids, it’s because he chose to.