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Mississippi RiverKings

‘Kings captain’s good works recognized by rival fans

February 2, 2005 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN—The old adage “A prophet is never heeded in his hometown” may hold true for Memphis RiverKings captain Don Parsons; however, the do-good charity founder/CHL record-setter is well-recognized in other parts of the league, even among fans from arch-rival teams, such as the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs.

Parsons has his own “fan club” at the CenturyTel arena, a group of hecklers that give him extra flak when the RiverKings wrestle with the Mudbugs on the road.

The Bossier-Shreveport Times reported that Parsons and the fans had been going back and forth with cheers and jeers prior to the historic milestone game on Dec. 18 at Bossier in which Parsons earned his 1,000th career point.

The game before, Parsons scored a game-tying goal right in front of the group after hearing it from the Mudbugs faithful all night long. The evening before the big game, he good-naturedly joked with a reporter from The Times about a repeat performance in which he would toss them the lucky puck afterward.

Parsons’ 1000th point came with the Mudbugs leading 4-0; although the crowd at the CenturyTel Center—led by Parsons’ anti-fan club—gave him a standing ovation even before the accomplishment was announced, and players on both teams tapped their sticks on the ice to signal their congratulations, Parsons was de-animated by what would be a ‘Kings loss 8-2, with credit for both goals going to him.

Definitely disappointed by the loss as he left the building, ParsonsÂ’ bittersweet evening was brightened by an unexpected event: Mudbugs season ticket holders Mike and Catherine McKay, recognizable as part of the core group of hecklers, awaited him with a token of respect and appreciation.

“We love watching you play,” The Times reported Catherine as saying.

“Here's a gift on behalf of the fans,” Mike continued, and presented him with a $1,000 check made out to Parsons’ Pledge, the foundation Parsons founded and dedicated to children’s charities. “Congratulations.”

Parsons, touched, thanked the McKays—whose story of generosity unintentionally preceded his arrival back in Memphis and spurred on Memphis fans with charitable leanings to support the Pledge as well.

"Tonight probably made (the milestone) more relevant and more memorable—it was probably one of the most lopsided losses I've been involved with in my career,” Parsons told a Times reporter that night.

“It's totally unexpected, obviously. It's fans like that who make our league successful. The Shreveport fans have been hard on me, but fair.”

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