Guest Column: Janina Jacobs
The hockey world recently lost a true legend when former Detroit Red Wing Ted Lindsay passed away at age 93 – but so did the golf world, even though Ted never picked up a club.
Non-golfers rarely understand the allure of the game, but Ted knew the power and good will harnessed when golf is used to bring people together in support of a cause.
His annual Celebrity Golf Outing, now in its 19th year, has raised almost $5 million in support of the Ted Lindsay Foundation, which aids autism research and assists families when autism touches their lives. Ted had no family members with this disorder but created the organization to help a friend who did. 
That was Ted, always ready with an assist.
Invitations to the September event are coveted and I received Ted’s personal call 16 years ago. There was one other request I couldn’t turn down: to sing at his funeral on March 10.
On the ice, no one was more driven nor ferocious than ‘Terrible’ Ted Lindsay, earning his nickname often during 17 seasons spread out over 21 years, most of them in Detroit – his adopted home town. Up close, those years were molded into a craggy, scarred countenance that when he smiled, only served to make him more endearing.
We know of his awards, the hockey honors, and All-Star status – the astounding comeback to Detroit after banishment to Chicago. Ted was 39 when then-NHL President Clarence Campbell cast insulting doubt on such nonsense but changed gears quickly when the Wings came out on top. Apparently, Ted didn’t get the memo that age cannot triumph over youth in the ‘world’s fastest sport.’
Off the ice, Terrible Ted was a softie. Generous, kind and benevolent – and he utilized the sport of golf to show that side of his larger-than-life personality.
During the funeral mass, St. Andrew’s Pastor Monsignor Michael Hrydziuszko pointed to back row seats draped with a Red Wings jersey. “That’s Ted and Joanne’s pew. Every Sunday Ted arrived an hour before mass. He sort of insisted I stop and chat,” the Monsignor said. A prayerful man, this helped Ted cope with wife Joanne’s death in February, 2017. Though never quite the same, it didn’t dampen his enthusiasm for helping others because Ted knew she’d insist on it.
As Ted was carried out, an honor guard with dozens of hockey players flanked the aisle, hockey sticks lifted high in final tribute. It was time to go back to home ice, forever.
