Hitman may retire
Bret Hart says doctors to examine concussion
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LOYAL FAN ... Wrestling fan Stephanie Theriault, 13, waited in line for three
hours to be the first to meet Bret 'Hitman' Hart during the signing of his
book at Marlborough Mall yesterday. -- Michael Drew, Calgary Sun
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By LYLE HARVEY -- Calgary Sun
Calgary wrestling star Bret "Hitman" Hart said yesterday a concussion
he suffered in December might end his career.
Signing photographs and copies of his new book for hundreds of people lined
up at Marlborough Mall, Hart said he'll have to wait a few more months to see
whether doctors will give him the go-ahead to jump back into the ring.
"I won't go back if it's dangerous -- I won't take anymore shots to the
head," said Hart, 42. "If I stand to lose any more than what I might already
have, I'll never wrestle again."
Hart took a kick to the back of the head last Dec. 19 during a World
Championship Wrestling match with Bill Goldberg in Washington, D.C. He stayed
in the ring until Jan. 11, when he stepped out following doctors' advice.
He announced his decision to Sun readers four days later in his regular
column.
"It doesn't look very good right now, but it's too early for me to say I
won't get better and it's too early for me to say I'll be back," Hart said,
adding he will continue wrestling only if doctors give him a clean bill of
health when they re-examine him in July.
Seeing Hart retire from wrestling would be a big blow to the more than 400
fans who lined up to see him yesterday.
Chris Mead, 17, stood in line for three hours with his cousin, Erin Dunlop,
19.
"He's my hero -- I'd do anything for him," said Dunlop, who started
following Hart's career as an eight-year-old in Ontario. "He's a nice person
and a good role model."
Mead, clutching a signed photo for his girlfriend agreed.
"It's the way he goes out of his way to do things for his fans," he said.
First in line to see Hart was 13-year-old Stephanie Theriault, who lined up
at 10 a.m. for the 1 p.m. signing session.
"I started reading his book this morning, but I was too excited," said
Theriault, who was up at 5 a.m. to deliver the Sun on her Erinwoods route.
Theriault said she was nervous to see her favourite wrestler for the first
time in person.
"It's always great for me to come home," said Hart, who next heads to
Vancouver as part of a six-week North American tour to promote his
autobiography titled Bret "Hitman" Hart: The Best There Is, The Best The Was;
The Best There Ever Will Be.
"I've been wrestling here the longest, so I've got the most dedicated fans
right here."
