"Tony" Proudfoot[1] (10 September 1949 – 30 December 2010) was an All-Star defensive back in the Canadian Football League, teacher, coach, broadcaster and journalist.
[2][3][4] He was a Grey Cup champion twice as a player, and twice as special consultant to Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman in 2009 and 2010.
[8] In 1970, he was nominated for the Hec Crighton Trophy, awarded annually to Canada's outstanding intercollegiate football player.
[10] In July 1977, his coach, Marv Levy, described Proudfoot as a "very smart football player ... [who] gets [the] very best out of himself" and who "isn't selfishly competing with his own teammates".
[15] Proudfoot later reflected that his success in professional football was due to being able to work, learn, ask good questions and process information, as "I didn't have great ability".
Before the game players from the Alouettes and their opponents, the Edmonton Eskimos, tried various solutions to avoid falling, including broomball shoes, and various kinds of cleats, but none were very effective.
We really knew we had something when Gerry Dattilio caught a short pass from Sonny Wade and ran right past Larry Highbaugh for a big gain.
[20] During his playing career, Proudfoot began teaching physical education at Dawson College in Montreal in 1977, and continued to work there for 30 years.
[10] In 2002, Proudfoot began planning a book to examine about which traits and qualities result in greatness in a CFL player.
[23] Following several years of interviews, research and writing Proudfoot's book entitled "First and Goal: The CFL and the Pursuit of Excellence" was published in 2006.
A diagnosis of bulbar onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a motor neuron disorder, was made in early May at the Montreal Neurological Institute.
Proudfoot was widely admired for the lack of self-pity, bravery and humour he showed in facing the disease, and for using it as an opportunity for education and to raise money for research.
"[32] Proudfoot retired from Dawson College and Concordia University, but initially continued to work as a football analyst on CJAD.
He was invited back for 2009 despite no longer being able to communicate verbally, and instead used a small whiteboard on which he wrote notes or drew diagrams.
Lions cornerback and a former Alouette, donated a game cheque to the fund in honour of his former mentor during his time with the Als.
[13] In December, 2010, the newspaper published an emotional farewell address from Proudfoot, recapping previous articles he had written about his struggle with ALS and thanking supporters.
[29] Proudfoot moved to The West Island Palliative Care Residence[44] on 28 December 2010, and died two days later at the age of 61.
[4] A final Montreal Gazette column written by Proudfoot and published after his death, expressed his gratitude for his life, family, friends and the care he had received, and his pride that he had fought the illness with determination.