Detroit Red Wings: Remembering Terrible Ted Lindsay
By Bob Heyrman
Yesterday the Detroit Red Wings lost a legend; Ted Lindsay died at the age of 93. He was a Hall of Fame player, but better yet he was a Hall of Fame human being.
I don’t know exactly how to start an article like this. There aren’t enough adjectives in the English language to describe a legend, gentleman, kind hearted, warrior on the ice, saint off the ice, courageous player like former Detroit Red Wings superstar Ted Lindsay. This is the type of article I would normally enjoy writing, but the circumstances this particular time are unfortunate. Before I get into all of Ted Lindsay’s accolades, I’d like to share a personal story from the gritty, gifted left-winger.
I woke up yesterday, and the first thing my wife said to me before I could even have a cup of joe; Ted Linsday died. I felt a lump in my throat; I mean he was 93 years old. He was anything but a spring chicken, but that still doesn’t ease the empty feeling in your gut. I immediately started to reminisce about the time I was lucky enough to meet the Red Wings legend.
It was at Joe Louis arena, no surprise it seemed Lindsay was in the old barn taking in a hockey game more times than not. He was promoting a new book at the time titled “Seven a salute to Ted Lindsay” written by Bob Duff and Bill Roose.
I bought the book to add to my collection, and Ted just so happened to be there autographing them this particular evening. I had the pleasure to exchange a few words and a firm handshake with him. I still remember the hair on my arms standing up, the nervous, anxious goosebumps swelling across my body. Not every day you get the opportunity to meet a player or person of this magnitude.
At this time Ted was 86 or so years old, but he was still sharp as a tack and apparently strong as an ox. I remember Ted asking me if I had played hockey. I was so starstruck; I stumbled to find the words; “not anything to write home about.”
Nevertheless, he kind of smirked and told my brother-in-law and I, to always to keep our stick on the ice. As we shook hands and moved along, I couldn’t help but realize how strong he was. My hand was lost in his grip, and I can confirm he had a big league grip well into his mid-80’s.
You know the saying; be careful what you wish for when meeting an idol. Sometimes they are not what you expect them to be and it could be a letdown. Maybe it will leave you with a sense of disappointment, and you may never think of them the same.
That was NOT Ted Lindsay. He took time to speak with everyone about hockey, of course, you couldn’t sit there and talk to him all evening long as you wished you could do, but he was very personable, incredibly genuine and left you with a smile on your face as you walked away.