Former Detroit Red Wings Zamboni Driver Al Sobotka Was Fired for Peeing into Drain

Author Anne Erickson

April 20th, 2022 2:54 PM

According to a new lawsuit, the reason Al Sobotka doesn’t drive a Zamboni for the Detroit Red Wings anymore is because he got caught peeing into a drain and was spotted by another employee.

According to the Detroit Free Press, “Sobotka’s lawyers state in the case filed in Wayne County Circuit Court that Sobotka’s rights were violated under Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, arguing that Sobotka was discriminated against on the basis of his age (68) and disability.”

The lawsuit also states that Sobotka has benign prostatic hypertrophy, which makes him have a frequent and uncontrollable need to urinate. For more information, go here.

10 Popular Movies Filmed in Detroit:

• “8 Mile”

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  When I think of Detroit movies, I automatically think of "8 Mile." Even though I'm a rock chick, I grew up listening to Eminem's music, too, and can't get enough of his sound. "8 Mile" was filmed in several different locations throughout Metro Detroit and proudly carries the Motor City vibe throughout every scene. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for MTV)

• “Beverly Hills Cop”

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  The opening scene for "Beverly Hills Cop" is shot in Detroit, and from there, most of the movie is filmed in the Los Angeles area. What gives this film extra credibility is that former Detroit homicide inspector Gil Hill appears in it playing the role of a police inspector. Nice! (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Netflix)

• “Blue Collar”

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  Richard Pryor and Harvey Keitel star in this film, which is set in and near Detroit. Many scenes were filmed in Detroit, too, including shots at the Ford River Rouge Complex. (Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images)
• “Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice”

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  "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" was shot around Michigan, including on the campus of Michigan State University, but they also filmed many scenes around Detroit. Locations featured in the film, according to Pure Michigan, include the Detroit Public Library, the Masonic Temple, Belle Isle Park and Hygrade Deli. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

• “Detroit Rock City”

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  Despite its name "Detroit Rock City," much of this movie was shot in Toronto. That said, you can see the Fox Theatre in the movie, giving it a little Motor City flavor.(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• “Ides of March”

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  George Clooney was in Detroit quite a bit to film his political drama "Ides of March." Filming was largely done in metro Detroit and Ann Arbor. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
• “Lost River”

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  Ryan Gosling brought his film "Lost River," which he directed, to Detroit for filming. You can easily spot the Masonic Temple in the clips. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

• “No Sudden Move”

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  Here's a recently released film that was shot in Detroit: "No Sudden Move." The film, directed by Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh, was shot in Detroit during the COVID-19 pandemic. It debuts at the 2021 Tribeca Festival. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images for Netflix)

• “Real Steel”

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  "Real Steel" brought Hugh Jackman and the crew to the Motor City. Several spots show up in the film, including the former Detroit Fire Department Headquarters, the Renaissance Center and the TCF Center, to name a few. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
• “Transformers”

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  Detroit has major bragging rights when it comes to the "Transformers" franchise, as all five of the "Transformers" movies from 2007 through 2017 were at least partly filmed in Detroit. Some popular locations include the Packard Automotive Plan, Cadillac Place, Fisher Theater Michigan Central Station. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Author Anne Erickson

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• Anne Erickson