Borje Salming Update

[unassuming]

Former Leafs star Börje Salming and family share details of his struggle with ALS

Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Börje Salming recently spoke to a Swedish newspaper about his struggle with ALS after he was diagnosed in July.

ca.rogers.yahoo.com

 

[John Wick]

Nice guy is well and truly fucked. I feel for him and his family. If it were me I wouldn't want to waste away slowly in front of my loved ones. I'd find the right Rx of pills and end it quickly and quietly somewhere. Just go to sleep and never wake up.

Reminds me that I met a guy through another board who used to be a big hobbyist and reviewer here on TERB a few years back. War veteran, very successful in business, very very wealthy, great kids, great life going. Controversial guy online but a super duper guy IRL. Diagnosed with a brain tumor about two years ago. Died relatively young about 5months ago. Same raw deal as Salming. Very sad for both.

 

[Darts]

The original Lou Gehrig.
Lou Gehrig killed by baseball not Lou Gehrig's disease, study findings suggest | Medical research | The Guardian

Did Lou Gehrig actually die of ‘Lou Gehrig’s disease’? | PBS NewsHour

 

[The Oracle]

I have nothing but mad respect for Borje the player. One of the best to ever put the maple leaf jersey on.

Nobody deserves this end.....

 

[SchlongConery]

How ironic that Lou Gehrig himself died from Lou Gehrig's disease?

 

[SchlongConery]

But seriously, Borje Salming is an incredible man, not just of hockey. ALS is a cruel way for a life to end.

 

[The Oracle]

The original Lou Gehrig.
Lou Gehrig killed by baseball not Lou Gehrig's disease, study findings suggest | Medical research | The Guardian

Did Lou Gehrig actually die of ‘Lou Gehrig’s disease’? | PBS NewsHour

Typical Guardian article.

Basically it says he may not have died from the disease that carries his name.

Article is from 2010 when they were first looking at CTE. Symptoms can mimic ALS.

 

[Goodoer]

Jesus, this is sad news.

 

[Insidious Von]

Jesus, this is sad news.

Two of the most beautiful human beings on the planet are getting raw deals.

 

[Insidious Von]

I love them both, Borje was my hero growing up, Dikembe has a voice that drips honey!

 

[unassuming]

Borje Salming is without doubt the best Leafs defenceman I've watched in my lifetime. Amazing player to watch and a lot tougher than most people give him credit for. I read once that one of his first NHL games was against the Broad Street Bullies (the Flyers) in Philadelphia. The fans were mocking him with chants of "Chicken Swede" and the Flyers openly talked about scaring him out of the NHL. Early in the game he took a vicious punch to the head and then a cross check from Dave "The Hammer" Schultz, who then skated away laughing while Salming was down on the ice. Salming got up, went right over the Schultz and laid a punch and cross check back on him and stood over him as if to say "You wanna go?" Schultz skated away instead. I also remember a playoff game against the Flyers in 76 or 77. The Flyers went at him all night - sticks, fists, anything they could throw at him - and he just kept going and going and going. Ended up being named 1st Star of the game and I remember him coming out with blood streaming down his face from all the abuse he took. But he never gave in. Amazing player. So sad to hear about his condition.

Salming's first NHL fight was against Schultz, it was a draw

 

[unassuming]

Mike Anscombe interviewed Salming for the "Once A Leaf" series, it was shown on the Leafs TV channel, great interview, unfortunately I can't find it online any where.

 

[Insidious Von]

The Flyers were cheap shot cream brule eaters, nothing tough about them. I hated Mel Bridgeman, he crossed checked Borje in the face twice in the 1976 playoffs. Schulz had to step in to stop Dave Dunn from turning him into ground chuck. The Flyers won Cups during a transition period, after 1975 they couldn't beat the Habs, Bruins and Islanders. I still have still picture...Big Bird gives Mel Bridgeman a face wash...you're not fully clean until you're Zestfully clean!

 

[Insidious Von]

Imho the best Leafs ever, certainly the most selfless.

 

[Toronto Passions]

Omg. I did not know Salming even had ALS. I watched him as a kid. I just saw a TSN posting of an interview where him and his wife break down in tears at one point. Wow.

Philip

 

[K Douglas]

Sad news. What a horrible affliction. And shame on the Swedish health care system for not allowing experimental medications that could help slow down the disease progression That's socialism for you.

 

[Toronto Passions]

Sad news. What a horrible affliction. And shame on the Swedish health care system for not allowing experimental medications that could help slow down the disease progression That's socialism for you.

That part of the story was absolutely unbelievable. There needs to be a global medication organization where countries work with one another, to ship drugs easily. It really shouldn’t matter what is approved and where. Even with Canada and the United States….. there’s medication that the FDA has approved years ago in some cases, still not available in Canada.

Philip

 

[dirtydaveiii]

Typical Guardian article.

Basically it says he may not have died from the disease that carries his name.

Article is from 2010 when they were first looking at CTE. Symptoms can mimic ALS.

Tucker would be outraged and claimed he faked it for publicity

 

[harrypalm]

We are thinking of you too.

 

[Insidious Von]

Still my hero, still a giant...I'm not afraid to admit I cried with him.