Former football star Tony Proudfoot dead at 61

Tony Proudfoot, a Canadian CFL star, has died at the age of 61 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Proudfoot played defensive back for the Montreal Alouettes and B.C. Lions over 12 seasons. He was twice voted to the all-star team, in 1977 and 1979, and won the 1974 and 1977 Grey Cups with the Alouettes. Known for his intellectual side, both on the field and off, Proudfoot also worked as a sportscaster and college professor. Following his diagnosis with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2007, he occasionally wrote columns in the Montreal Gazette chronicling his struggle with the disease. He leaves behind his wife and three children.

Winnipeg Free Press