Mike Danton's Mugshot
Courtesy of: http://jocksbehindbars.com/mugshots/gallery/
Why do I love sports? Obviously the competition is the main factor. However, in the world of sports journalism, nothing is better than a great redemption story.
Mike Danton was convicted in 2004 of murder for hire; he was 23-years old and an up and coming player for the St. Louis Blues. He was caught trying to have his agent, David Frost, murdered.
Mike Danton, as a player for the St. Louis Blues.
Also, his mug shot, along with the man he tried to have killed, David Frost.
Courtesy of: blogs.bettor.com
Danton served his time, just like many other athletes have along the way. Mike Vick is the most recent example of federal inmates getting a second chance. For Mike Danton, his second chance took him to St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. With the blessing of the team and an accepting coach, the hockey team took in an ex-pro and ex-con with open arms. This is what sports can do; they offer redemption in the most unlikely of ways.
Obviously, no one can condone what Danton did. What he tried to have done is something that will stay with him and tarnish his reputation for the rest of his life. But why not give Danton a second chance? He served his time. Would you deny any parolee the chance to start over? I give Danton credit for getting his life back together and obviously making himself into a rehabilitated and productive person.
In terms of the journalistic aspect of this story, SI did a great job. Loved a couple of the shots: the video of the St. Mary's hockey coach walking past the university's sign with the snow covered ground. The white background with the red sign and single silhouette of the coach made for a great shot. Also, I really enjoyed putting Danton behind a black background; it shows the darkness in his past, but also allows the audience to look straight into Danton as he tells his story of redemption. I also really enjoyed the skate sharpening B-Roll, the setting of the interview with the team's captain, and seeing Danton as a member of regular university classes. The VO did not take over the entire story, the story let Danton do the talking, and I think that makes for a great piece.
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