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Rick DiPietro Clarifies He Was ‘Totally Kidding’ About Having Suicidal Thoughts, Says Comments Were Meant as Joke

Rick DiPietro is backing down from his previous comments about killing himself, but we likely haven’t heard the last of the New York Islanders goalie on this topic.

While the 31-year-old DiPietro told News 12 Long Island’s Kevin Maher that he experienced suicidal thoughts over the past three years stemming from injuries, losing and fan hatred, he clarified to ESPN’s Katie Strang that those comments were meant to be taken as a joke.

#Isles Just spoke with Rick DiPietro, who assured me he was totally kidding. Although he knows that's not something to joke about anymore

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Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) February 28, 2013

#Isles Anyone that knows DiPietro knows that he can have a pretty dark, self-deprecating sense of humor. DP admits its been a tough 3 yrs

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Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) February 28, 2013

DiPietro was waived by the Islanders earlier this year, but he still has eight years remaining on the 15-year, $67.5 million deal he signed back in 2006.