Pens CEO: DMV flap paints unfair picture of Crosby
The Penguins usually employ at least one player to protect Sidney Crosby on the ice.
Their CEO, David Morehouse, took on that role off the ice Monday.
Morehouse said Crosby, the Penguins captain, has never sought preferential treatment even though no less an authority than NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has identified Crosby as “the face of hockey.”
“Anyone that knows Sid or follows hockey — in Pittsburgh or anywhere — knows that's not the person he is,” Morehouse said.
Morehouse is among many Crosby supporters — from agent Pat Brisson to former Penguins teammate Max Talbot — who denounced criticism Crosby has received in some circles for reportedly being moved to the front of line while renewing his driver's license last week.
Crosby, who turned 26 on Wednesday, said he renewed the license Friday at the Department of Motor Vehicles branch in McCandless. His presence caused a stir among fans, and DMV supervisors followed procedure to let Crosby move quickly through the line because of his celebrity status.
“People of high visibility have been given priority for some time,” said Jan McKnight, the DMV's community relations coordinator. “It just makes sense. (Crosby) did not do anything that we don't already allow.”
Brisson said Crosby “did everything right” and that he had an appointment.
Crosby, who is training in Los Angeles, declined comment. In an email to the Tribune-Review, he said the original report of him seeking preferential treatment was exaggerated but added he saw “no need to make a big deal about it.”
Morehouse called the original report of Crosby receiving preferential treatment from the DMV “a nonnews event.”
“To think he would flaunt his status and cut in line — that's not him, and anybody who has been around him or hockey knows that's not him,” Morehouse said.
