Dick Beddoes
CanadaBiography of Dick Beddoes
Dick Beddoes, born Richard Herbert 'Dick' Beddoes, was a Canadian sports journalist who became known for his bold statements and unique style. He was born in 1926 in Daysland, Alberta, Canada, into a farming family. After completing his schooling, Beddoes initially studied agriculture at the University of Alberta before switching to pursue a teaching degree.
In 1951, Beddoes began his career at the 'Edmonton Bulletin' and soon became a reporter covering police news for the 'Vancouver Sun' newspaper. In the mid-1960s, he moved to Toronto and joined 'The Globe and Mail' as a journalist, where he gained worldwide recognition for his sports reporting. It was during this time that Beddoes made a memorable promise related to the Canada-USSR Super Series of hockey in 1972.
The Promise
As the Canada-USSR Super Series approached, Beddoes boldly declared that if the Russian team won even a single game, he would eat his own newspaper article. He even mentioned eating the article with borscht and sour cream. On September 2, 1972, the teams took to the ice at the Canadian 'Forum' stadium in Montreal. After the Canadian team scored two early goals, the Soviet team turned the game around and won 7-3.
Keeping His Word
True to his word, Beddoes ate the newspaper article he had promised to consume. He did so right on the steps of the Russian Consulate in Toronto, dipping the article into borscht and sour cream. This event captured the attention of the international media, and Beddoes became known not only as a great sports journalist but also as a man who kept his promises.
Later Career and Legacy
Despite the Canadian team ultimately winning the Super Series, the Soviet players had captured the attention of the world, and Beddoes played a role in bringing their talent to the forefront. He continued to work on his column for 'The Globe and Mail' until 1980. Later, Beddoes served as the Director of Sports News at CHCH-TV until 1988. In the early 1990s, he began reporting on sports for CFRB radio in Toronto.
In addition to his journalistic achievements, Beddoes was known for his unique and flamboyant style of dressing, particularly his collection of hats. He passed away in 1991 at the age of 64 or 65 due to liver cancer, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and a passion for sports journalism.
