Tony Proudfoot
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| Date of birth | 10 September 1949 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Date of death | 30 December 2010 (aged 61) |
| Place of death | Montreal, Quebec |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | DB |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| University | New Brunswick |
| High school | John Rennie |
| CFL draft | 1971 / Round: 4 / Pick: 36 |
| Drafted by | Montreal Alouettes |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1971–1979 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 1980–1982 | BC Lions |
| CFL East All-Star | 1977, 1979 |
| Honors | Grey Cup - 1974, 1977 |
| Career stats | |
John A. "Tony" Proudfoot (10 September 1949 – 30 December 2010) was an All-Star defensive back in the Canadian Football League, teacher, coach, broadcaster and journalist.
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. In 2007, Proudfoot was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a motor neurone disease for which there is no known cure. He wrote regular updates on his deterioration in the Montreal Gazette. The courage, grace and determination during his illness was widely admired. He founded the Tony Proudfoot Fund for ALS Research at the ALS Society of Quebec, which raised over $500,000 for research into the disease.
Proudfoot was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and later moved to Pointe-Claire, Quebec. He attended John Rennie High School, graduating in 1966. Proudfoot went on to study at the University of New Brunswick and played as a linebacker for the university's football team. In 1970, he was nominated for the Hec Crighton Trophy, awarded annually to Canada's outstanding intercollegiate football player. In 1971, Proudfoot graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education.
Proudfoot was a Montreal Alouettes draft pick in 1971, and played for them for nine seasons (1971–79, 107 games), including five Grey Cup championship games. Proudfoot initially played as a linebacker, and was cut in that role. However, he was re-signed in 1973 and converted to a defensive back. He played on the Alouette's 1974 Grey Cup winning team. After missing much of the 1976 season because of injury, he moved to defensive half-back. With time, Proudfoot and his fellow players became so experienced that they made the calls on the field; they signalled their plans to defensive coordinator Dick Roach in case he had to show that they were following his plans. He and the team partied extensively in the bars and restaurants of Crescent Street. 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". 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".
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