The Players Helping Players Foundation

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PLAYERS HELPING PLAYERS “THE TIME HAS COME” By: Steve Ludzik ________________________________________________ The big man, with the broad shoulders, lowers his head as a bubbly and boisterous hockey fan wearing a quizzical expression on his face asks a most dreaded and familiar question. “Didn’t you used to be……??” asks the fan searching his hockey cards that are tethered and worn. The big man raises his grey and balding head and summoning as much pride that is left inside his battered soul replies in the affirmative. His face is a host to dozens of old scares that tell tales of years ago when he was young and frisky. A time when sticks were wood, no one wore a shield, and stitches were a badge of honor. He smiles, poses for a picture, and signs an autograph that is actually legible, knowing full well both will be soon forgotten and lost. The man ‘’who used to be ‘’ turns and hobbles away , aware that his appearance, physical condition and self worth have decayed long since his face adorned OPee-Chee bubble gum cards. This is Players Helping Players, and this is their Stand. My friends, many of the hockey players that you cheered and rooted for on a Saturday night in the 1960’s 1970’s and 1980’s need help today, they are in desperate straits and that’s just a fact. Hall of Famers, greats and not so greats, the grunts and the gifted, who entertained you, royally while you sat in front of the family TV set, are literally looking for their next meal. Silence gives consent and...