Ted Lindsay Dead, Detroit Red Wings Hall Of Famer Passes Away At 93
Detroit Red Wings Legend and NHL Hall of Famer Ted Lindsey Died at the age of 93 overnight. The hockey icon had been under hospice care, according to a report by the Detroit Free Press. During his time with the Red Wings, the grizzled enforcer gained the nicknames “Terrible Ted” and “Old Scarface” due to his playing style that and willingness to get mix it up, but off the ice his reputation was sterling.
In Detroit, Lindsay was well known for his philanthropy and his dedication to the city. His Ted Lindsey Foundation raised $3.4 million as it sought to find a cure for autism, with the Hockey legend traveling the country to attend banquets and fundraisers in support for the cause. In November, the foundation pledged $1 million to the Oakland University Center for Autism Outreach, according to a report by Crain’s Detroit Business. The donation will go toward supporting teenage and adult autism programs.
Lindsay’s reputation for charity was developed during a career spent mostly in Detroit, where he lifted the Stanley Cup four times over the course of his career. His hard-nosed style caused a direct physical impact on the wing, as he amassed more than 600 stitches due to injuries, with the majority on his face, according to the Detroit Free Press.
"I played it to win. And there were no friends on the ice, they were all enemies." — Ted Lindsay https://t.co/BdQaTkTknS
— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) March 4, 2019
John Finley, the Red Wings’ physician during Lindsay’s career and the man regularly tasked with putting him back together again, described the Hall of Famer in his memoir by saying, “Terrible Ted had a face only a hockey mom could love,” adding, “I have many fond memories of the grace, respect, and special effort he took with all those close to him.”
Lindsay made strides for player’s right during his career, joining some of his fellow NHL stars in the organization of the National Hockey League Player’s Association. At a time when NHL players were contracted to a single team for their entire career, this was a radical initiative and saw many involved traded to other teams and sent down to minor leagues, as reported by the Sports Business Daily. Lindsay himself ended up being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks due to his efforts, but the fight eventually secured a $7,000 minimum salary, an increase in the players’ playoff pool and payment of moving expenses for a traded player, albeit not the Player’s Association as it is known today. The modern Association still views Lindsay as it’s true founder and presents an award in his name for the league’s best player, as voted by the players.
