Tony Proudfoot is a legend of the Canadian Football League and, specifically, the Montreal Alouettes. Over a 40-year professional relationship with the Alouettes, Proudfoot carved out a special place in the hearts of Montreal football fans, first as a player over nine of his 12 CFL seasons -- two of them as a CFL All-Star defensive back -- and later as a coach, game analyst, broadcaster and, in his own words, cheerleader.In May 2007, at the age of 57, Proudfoot was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Characterized as bulbar onset ALS, this type of ALS first targets the motor neurons that control speech, swallowing and breathing.
Shortly after his diagnosis, Proudfoot penned a first-person story for the Montreal Gazette detailing the path ahead of him and his "bucket list," the goals he wanted to focus on in the 3-5 years doctors told him he had left to live. Those goals revolved around the love of his family, his relationships with the people around him, making a difference in the fight against ALS and perhaps most importantly, enjoying every day he had left.
Since then, Proudfoot has written periodic updates for the Gazette, often during the holiday season, updating fans and readers on his battle with ALS. On Wednesday, just over 3 1/2 years since his diagnosis, Proudfoot penned his final letter in the Gazette, saying goodbye and bidding farewell to his legions of fans, supporters and admirers. The Montreal Gazette has graciously allowed FanHouse to publish an excerpt of Proudfoot's heartfelt, tear-jerking farewell here. The entirety of Proudfoot's final message can be read on the Montreal Gazette website. Donations can be made to "The Tony Proudfoot Fund" in conjunction with The ALS Society of Quebec by clicking here.
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