
Ryan Straschnitzki's first pitch at Blue Jays game recalls Humboldt tragedy
Humboldt Bronco crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki (Credit: Getty Image)
When Ryan Straschnitzki rolled onto the field at Rogers Centre. It wasn't just about baseball, the former junior hockey player, now paralyzed from the chest down. Also delivered the ceremonial first pitch.
Before a packed Toronto Blue Jays crowd, and the moment held more than symbolic value. As it reflected years of personal transformation since the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
From junior hockey to Paralympic dreams
New TV series on AMI to feature Ryan Straschnitzki
Since the accident, he has focused on adaptive sports. He trained intensely in sled hockey and wheelchair basketball, as his goal is clear: to represent Canada at the 2028 Paralympic Games, that determination has kept him moving, both physically and mentally.
The first pitch wasn't just about baseball. It represented the distance he's traveled; from despair to competitive hope.
A national spotlight on personal strength
Humboldt Bronco crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki (Credit: Getty Image)
Straschnitzki's return to the public eye isn't limited to the pitcher's mound. His visit to Toronto also marks the release of a new TV series, We Were Broncos. The show recounts the aftermath of the Humboldt tragedy, focusing on personal recovery and rebuilding identity.
Turning tragedy into purpose and legacy
Straschnitzki doesn't shy away from what happened.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency
Planet Spark
Learn More
Undo
But he doesn't let it define him either. His life now centers on pushing boundaries; those of physical limits, public perception, and personal expectations. He trains, speaks, and now, appears in media that reshapes how tragedies are remembered.
Read more:
Mock draft sparks surprise with Anton Frondell to Blackhawks
Ryan Straschnitzki's first pitch at the Blue Jays game was more than a ceremonial act, it was a reminder of how resilience can take root in the darkest places. His continued pursuit of sport, storytelling, and purpose underscores a vital truth, recovery is ongoing. But so is strength, and his story is still unfolding, and it's one Canada continues to follow closely.
Get
IPL 2025
match
schedules
,
squads
,
points table
, and live scores for
CSK
,
MI
,
RCB
,
KKR
,
SRH
,
LSG
,
DC
,
GT
,
PBKS
, and
RR
. Check the latest
IPL Orange Cap
and
Purple Cap
standings.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Hindustan Times
9 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Rahul Dravid breaks silence after Bengaluru stampede claims 11 lives: 'I am from here. Such a tragedy...'
Former India captain Rahul Dravid was left "heartbroken" and "disappointed" as he reacted to the stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4 during the IPL trophy victory celebration for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The RCB ended their 18-year wait for an IPL trophy on June 3 with a six-run win against the Punjab Kings in the final in Ahmedabad. In celebration of the maiden IPL title win, more than 2.5 lakh people gathered in and around the Chinnaswamy Stadium to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars. However, the celebration turned into a tragedy after 11 people lost their lives during the stampede, and more than 50 were left injured. Speaking to NDTV, the Bengaluru-based former India cricketer condoled the unfortunate incident and added that it was harrowing given the city's deep sporting culture. "Very disappointing. It's very sad. Bengaluru is a sports-passionate city. I come from here. People over here love all sports, not just cricket. They follow all the sports and also all the sporting teams, be it a football team or a kabaddi team. It's really heartbreaking that such an unfortunate incident happened. Our thoughts go out to everyone for unfortunately lost their lives and those who were injured." Dravid said. "Such a tragedy shouldn't have happened." Following the tragedy, A Shankar and E S Jairam resigned from their respective position of secretary and treasurer of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), taking "moral responsibility" for the incident. On the other hand, Nikhil Sosale, marketing head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, was arrested on June 6. On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court denied him any interim relief. In his petition, Sosale questioned the legality of his arrest, alleging that political directives influenced the police action. Earlier Monday, the Karnataka High Court restrained officials from taking any coercive action against RCB and event partner DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd until June 12.


Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
WTC Final: When was the last time South Africa and Australia played a Test at Lord's? What happened then?
South Africa and Australia last met at Lord's in a Test match over a century ago in 1913 (Image via X/@cric_businessHQ) Australia and South Africa are set to face each other in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Wednesday, marking their first Test encounter in two years. The match will also revive a historic rivalry that saw these teams play at the same venue 113 years ago in a unique triangular tournament. South Africa secured their place in the final with a superior record, winning 8 out of 12 Tests and achieving a points percentage of 69.44. Australia qualified with 67.54 points percentage across 19 matches. The two cricket powerhouses have played 101 Tests against each other, with their rivalry featuring significant moments including the controversial Sandpaper Gate incident in 2018. Remarkably, Australia and South Africa have previously met at Lord's, with this matchup coming in the Triangular Tournament of 1912, which involved England as the third team. The 1912 tournament was groundbreaking as the first Test competition featuring more than two teams. It remained unique until the Asian Test Championship in 1998. Poll Who do you think will win the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final? Australia South Africa During that historic Lord's match in 1912, South Africa batted first after winning the toss but were dismissed for 263. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Australia responded with 390 runs in their first innings. The South African team, led by Frank Mitchell, could only manage 173 in their second innings. Australia secured a comfortable 10-wicket victory. The teams played another match at Trent Bridge which ended in a draw. England ultimately won the tournament, which was never repeated. The 1912 tournament format featuring nine matches played between May and August, with each team facing the others three times. Bombay Sport Exchange Ep. 6: Harish Thawani on cricket's TV market and the watershed moments The upcoming final between Pat Cummins' Australian team and Temba Bavuma's South African side will write a new chapter in this historic rivalry, connecting the present with their past encounter at Lord's from the early 20th century.


NDTV
32 minutes ago
- NDTV
Shreyas Iyer's Big Captaincy Revelation Amid India Leadership Reports: "Maturity, Responsiblity..."
Having guided Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title last year and led Punjab Kings to the IPL final this year, star India cricketer Shreyas Iyer says he "loves" leadership role as it helps to bring out the best in him. Iyer was pivotal in guiding PBKS to the IPL final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru this year, scoring 604 runs, including six half-centuries. But, as luck would have it, he missed out on a Test spot for the five-Test away series against England beginning later this month. He also led Delhi Capitals in the past. "It (captaincy) brings in a lot of maturity and responsibility. You are always expected to perform and contribute in the best way possible for the team because whenever there is a hurdle or some kind of adversity you face as a team, they always come to the captain," Iyer told the T20 Mumbai League after leading Sobo Mumbai Falcons to the semifinal here on Sunday. "I think I have got a lot of experience as I have been captaining since I was 22. I have enjoyed the moments and also embraced it. I love the fact to come out and lead," added Iyer. Iyer, 30, is among the top Indian stars, alongside Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, featuring in the T20 Mumbai League, a domestic franchise-based tournament. The middle-order batter added that he gets motivation to take on the challenge and perform at his best in high-pressure situations. "I just try to get into my zone and I try to do things which are there in front of me. I try to stay focused as much as possible, just stay in the present, embrace the situation, embrace the crowd because sometimes they get very electrifying and pass on the energy to you. So I keep telling myself that I want the crowd to cheer my name, and that brings that kind of motivation," he said. The Mumbai cricketer said that playing alongside familiar faces, who have been a part of his cricketing journey from his childhood days, in the tournament makes him feel happy. "There are familiar faces in the dressing room, I have played with a few of them in club cricket and also in my school and college teams. I am glad to be back and play with my teammates here." He added that the T20 Mumbai League was a great platform to nurture young cricketers and prepare them for future challenges. "The Mumbai Cricket Association has put in great efforts to bring this league and identify talents who have been consistently performing in the grassroots of Mumbai. This gives them a great platform to come and express themselves and also to thrive beyond club cricket," he said. Sobo Mumbai Falcons will take on Namo Bandra Blasters in the semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium here on Tuesday.