A coach with priorities
Last week, Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff was fined heavily for his part in a National Hockey League brawl. When his star player was blindsided and taken off with a concussion, Lindy retaliated. After the game and post-game press conference during which he criticized the offficiating, Ruff was notified that he had been fined $10,000.
But Sabres fans are crazy about their team and its coach. According to espn.com:
At least two separate fan-based fundraisers were launched to pay the fine against the coach.
If you think that this displays some upside-down priorities, Ruff agrees. One of the highest compensated and longest tenured coaches in the league said:
Whatever money raised will not go toward paying the fine, but instead will be donated to charity.
He hasn’t said yet which charity the money will go to, but he wouldn’t have to look too far to find some participation. The Buffalo Sabres organization is very active in the community and star goaltender Ryan Miller has just begun his own charity, the Steadfast Foundation. It’s mission:
To assist those afflicted and affected by the consequences of cancer, and especially childhood forms of the disease.
With all of the negative news that many sports figures generate, it’s nice to know that many of them still have their priorities straight. Oh, and don’t worry about Lindy. The Sabres have told him that they will foot the bill.
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