The truth is, I've known Pat LaFontaine for a long time. Like most hockey fans - and most of you know by now that I've been an avid hockey player and fan all my life -- I admired Pat for his remarkable abilities on the ice - he always knew how to put the puck in the net, or how to spot a teammate and feed him a perfect pass. But as much as I admired
Pat for his athletic abilities, it wasn't until we had a chance to work together on an episode of "Spin City" that I truly became impressed with Pat LaFontaine, the human being.
We had asked Pat to make a cameo appearance on the show, and during the course of the shooting, there was a scene in which we had to both skate on the ice together. Now, this was a time when Pat was recuperating from a serious head concussion and I remember thinking to myself, "Please, God, whatever I do, please don't let me accidentally knock him down!" Fortunately, my skating skills held up and Pat finished the scene with me flawlessly, and most importantly, not injured.
But it was during this time that I had a chance to get to know Pat LaFontaine well, and it was quickly apparent to me that this was a man who wanted to give a lot more to this world than just goals and assists. Pat is one of those unique people in life who just flat out cares about other people, and in today's world of selfish, highly egocentric "What's-in-it-for-me?" professional athletes, Pat is truly a breath of fresh air.
Up to that point, I had always followed his career. But then I really focused on Pat when he was with the New York Rangers. And when he was finally forced to retire after suffering from another collision on the ice, I sat down and wrote a heartfelt note to him.
I remember the letter quite well, because it was meant to praise Pat and to urge him to keep going in life, no matter what kinds of obstacles are thrown in one's way. But in truth - and what only I knew at the time - I was really writing about my own battle with Parkinson's, and in effect, was trying to affirm my own beliefs in my competitive spirit to keep going. Pat's decision to retire and move on with his life was, in effect, setting the stage for my own upcoming personal battle....
(the remainder of the Michael J. Fox's heartfelt foreword is available in Pat LaFontaine's new Time-Warner release Companions in Courage, now available at bookstores nationwide.)
Click Here To Visit Michaeljfox.org |
