Is Joe Sakic Denver’s classiest-ever star athlete?

It’s comparatively easy to display humility, grace and good sportsmanship for athletes who don’t reach elite status. No one expects greatness from them on any level, personal or professional, so folks tend to grade on the curve from the get-go. But stars are as different in this way as they are in any other, and because most of them were driven to excellence by a heaping helping of ego, they often seem to hiding essential aspects of their character when they’re on their best behavior. Not so Joe Sakic. The Colorado Avalanche captain’s retirement speech yesterday exemplified everything that’s been great about him throughout his twenty-year career. Has anyone ever bid farewell this well?