“You’re Really Shook Up”: Wayne Gretzky Kept His Wife’s Promise During His Emotional All-Star Farewell Game in 1999

Wayne Gretzky bowed out of his Ice-Hockey career in 1999, with a dream farewell game in Tampa Bay. His wife Janet Jones was by his side for his final All-Star game. Just before the game, she had exchanged a witty comment with him while still emotional. A two-decade-long and decorated career was coming to an end, and yet Jones’s comment left Gretzky chuckling.

Gretzky had kept it a secret from most people that it would be his last game ever. Before the game started that day, a couple of his friends from Edmonton had flown down to Tampa Bay at Gretzky’s behest. Here’s how his wife reacted to his last game.

Wayne Gretzky’s emotionally shaken wife made a witty comment

Tampa Bay Times reported Jones saying, “Well if it’s your last game, try to win the car”. While she was coping with the emotions of her husband bidding adieu to his first love, she still managed to lace her comment with a tinge of humor. The effect worked since Gretzky responded with laughter.

However, Gretzky saw right through his wife’s wit and realized how emotionally stirred she was. He said, “I can tell you are really shook up I’m retiring”. Nothing followed after this confession and Gretzky went on to play the game.

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Gretzky wins MVP and a memento that he cherishes for life

Everyone gave Gretzky a standing ovation before the game, making it clear that this was part of history. The game between North America vs Team World concluded with the former winning by an 8-6 margin. Gretzky came out on top and won the car as MVP, just as his wife had asked him to do.

However, this was no ordinary car for Gretzky, as he had won many MVP cars before but none as special as this one. He said about his previously won vehicles, “I always gave them away. That one I kept”. It would serve him as a constant reminder of a historical day.

He said, “The game owes me nothing. I owe everything to the game”. Yet again reminding everyone of his humble nature while bidding farewell.

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A proud father, husband, and possibly the greatest ever on ice with a stick, Gretzky’s farewell game was the icing on the cake. Do you think he is the greatest ever and could his farewell have been any better? Let us know below.