Jaromir Jagr watched his No. 68 float up into the rafters in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, a powerful moment in a long and storied career that still has yet to reach its conclusion.
One matter Jagr — who both owns and continues to play for a Czech hockey team — tried to set straight is how he wants to be remembered in Pittsburgh — as a player and a person.
“You know what, those two kind of (don’t) go together when I was thinking about my hockey life,” Jagr said during a news conference before the ceremony. “If you want to accomplish something in this sport or any business, it’s tough to be a nice guy. I don’t know if I explained that right, but there’s something what everybody wants. To be the best, to score the most goals, win the Stanley Cup. That’s my job.”
Reaction came in from all corners of the X (formerly Twitter) hockey world about the 52-year-old’s jersey retirement.
First, there was the wild shot of Jagr heading out for warm-ups with the team.
Are you kidding me?!! Jaromir Jagr on the ice for warmups with the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight on his jersey retirement night?! ????
What year is it?!#LetsGoPens #Celebrate68 pic.twitter.com/SNYEKgIbJr
— 1986-92 Pittsburgh Pirates (@1992Pirates) February 18, 2024
Some took it harder than others.
If I’m reacting like this to Jagr’s jersey retirement, a player I didn’t get to watch play for this team, how the hell am I supposed to survive when it’s Sid/Geno/Tanger/Flower? pic.twitter.com/8RcNeeelzj
— kath ???? (@KathFF) February 18, 2024
There was plenty of video evidence of Jagr making people look foolish on display.
In honour of his jersey retirement today. Here’s him absolutely dancing the Pheonix Coyotes as the Penguins captain.
Legend of the game. The Penguins have a lot less cups if Jagr doesn’t come to Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/Lx6Dbf4glV
— goatzel (@guentzelscored) February 18, 2024
A story in The Athletic enumerated some great Jagr stories. Flying the team plane, anyone?
Jaromir Jagr became an icon in Pittsburgh.
Ahead of his number retirement ceremony Saturday, people dished on what elevated him to legendary status as a Penguin, from potatoes on his knees to helping fly the team plane ⤵️https://t.co/ZFVFE70KpL pic.twitter.com/qsxV8zsivX
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) February 12, 2024
A little Pittsburgh sports perspective never hurt anyone.
With Jagr jersey retirement, reminds us as Pittsburgh Sports fans how lucky we have been over the years. We complain alot ????, but all 3 teams, Steelers, Penguins, & Pirates have a long history of phenomenal HOF athletes! It rivals any city TBH.
— Steel City Sports (@AEM366) February 18, 2024
Player agent Paige Dixon credits the Jagr-era Penguins with inspiring her current career.
Did I cry during the ENTIRE Jagr jersey retirement ceremony? Yes I did.
The choke hold that team had on me as a kid. And why I work in hockey today.
— Paige Dixon (@PeejDixon) February 19, 2024
If you were ever wondering, ‘Did Jagr ever score a hat trick and then four more points against the New York Islanders?’ Why yes, yes he did.
To keep the celebrations going tonight for Jagr retirement. Here he is in 1999 scoring a hat trick and 7 points against the New York Islanders.
???? 68 Forever. pic.twitter.com/QFqbRq6Wsi
— goatzel (@guentzelscored) February 18, 2024
Who’s cutting onions? A lot of people in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, apparently.
I'm 4 days older than Jagr. Outside of Mario, he was the Penguins for me in my early adult life. Why is someone cutting onions during his jersey retirement ceremony?
— Yinzer G (@yinzer_g) February 18, 2024
Let’s not leave conspiracy theories out of this.
Imagine this #Jagr number retirement is just a ruse, and they're really going to announce he's making an #NHL comeback with #LetsGoPens. How awesome that would be. If only.
— Greg Caggiano (@GregCaggiano) February 17, 2024
And let’s round things out with a snarky take on the Kings winning on Jagr’s celebratory night.
As much as I hate the Penguins even I hate seeing them lose on Jagr jersey retirement night. Maybe they would have put more than one puck in the net if he was in that lineup.
— Jay Speaks (@chiefs12playa) February 19, 2024
