Eric Lindros was asked to take part in the ongoing concussion lawsuit against the NHL by former players but declined participation, as told to ESPN this past weekend at Hall of Fame inductions in Toronto.
His focus is ahead, not behind, he said. That is why he's so involved in concussion research.
"I think we do things differently. I think we can look at that space and go at it in a different way," Lindros said. "I think there's space to be positive about this and look at, sure, it's a problem, but let's tackle it, let's have some success with this -- not just for hockey players but for all sports and for all aspects of life."
"Concussions are going to occur. They just are. There's car accidents. There's bike accidents. These things happen. And if we had a tangible solution to it, we're helping all of society. So I'm going to go at it a different way.''
Despite his own history of concussion, he feels fine.
"I've felt really good for a long time. I don't worry too much about it,'' the Big E said.
Lindros was officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday and undoubtedly made a dent on the sport. His dominance and distinctiveness can't be denied.
"He's once in a lifetime," longtime teammate Rod Brind'Amour said. "I don't know if you'll ever see a player like him because the game's changed so much now. The physical part of the game is kind of out the door. No kids growing up are trying to be like that. It's all skill and skating, so I don't know that you're going to see that kind of player again."
Lindros won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1994-95 but had his career shortened by serious and multiple concussions. He saw his younger brother, Brett, retire after 51 games because of multiple concussions.