Barbaro: Death of a Sports Icon

When news broke that reigning Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized due to injuries suffered 8 months ago at the Preakness, goose bumps covered my body like the Chicken Pox.

Barbaro’s death will send people to bed tonight with tears in their eyes, whether they are a horse racing enthusiast or not.

Barbaro’s rise and fall was more than a horse racing story. It told the story of a horse on the brink of history, but fell from glory and fought for his life until the very end. Barbaro told the story of hope like nothing had ever done in the world.

Barbaro claimed the 2006 Kentucky Derby by 6 ½ lengths, which was the largest margin of victory wince 1946. He was the favorite to win the Preakness and Belmont and become just the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown and first since Affirmed accomplished the feat in 1978.

Instead of being showered with joy and praise, Barbaro’s Triple Crown – and eventually his life – came to an end one furlong (1/8 of a mile) into the Preakness when he pulled up lame after shattering his right hind leg.

Immediate surgeries proved temporarily successful to ease the pain, but in the end, the injuries proved fatal.

Barbaro should be considered one of the bravest athletes of our generation. For eight months, he fought for his life. He inspired us. He taught us that no matter how high the chips are stacked against us, we should never give up. Through surgery after surgery, he refused to give up. Sadly, the combination of his size and severity of the injury, along with new arising illnesses from the initial injury, proved too much for the celebrated colt.

Hours after Barbaro’s injury when his outlook looked bleak, the world rallied behind Barbaro with flowers, cards, and messages of encouragement, which proves that the nation adopted Barbaro as an honorary pet.

Barbaro’s triumph and tragedy are rare in this day and age of cheering for sports figures with questionable values and backgrounds. If Barry Bonds or Ray Lewis were forced into retirement in their prime because of a life-threatening injury, would there be similar support and outcry of sadness as there is for Barbaro?

Doubtful. Highly doubtful.

It is a crying (literally) shame the world was not fortunate, blessed, and privileged to see what Barbaro was truly capable of.

Barbaro took the world by storm. Before the Derby, the focus was on odds-on favorite Brother Derek. It was not until after Barbaro was draped with one of the greatest sports trophies of our time – the lush blanket of 554 red roses – that we realized just how special and talented Barbaro was. For two weeks, we jumped on the Barbaro bandwagon in hopes of him winning the Triple Crown.

Unfortunately, just as when anybody passes before their time, all we have are the memories when that person, or in this case animal, made us feel blessed and happy.

I challenge everybody to live up to Barbaro’s legacy:

Work hard. Live happy. Never give up.