Cortes among sports figures honored at Lou Gehrig Legacy Gala

NEW YORK -- The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter hosted its annual Lou Gehrig Legacy Gala at Chelsea Piers on Nov. 7, the first in-person event of its kind since 2019, as the previous two years were virtual because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal for the night was to help raise funds to try to put an end to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the same disease that took baseball legend Lou Gehrig’s life in 1941. The New York chapter had already raised $100,060 before going into a silent auction later that night. The event also honored current and retired sports personalities who are modern-day embodiments of Gehrig’s fortitude and grace.

Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes, NHL Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine and Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist were given the Lou Gehrig Sports Award and recognized for combining their career achievements with a passionate concern for helping people in need.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was awarded the Jacob Javits Lifetime Achievement Award. The New York chapter also honored the late Rod Gilbert, who was awarded the Champion Award. Gilbert and his wife, Judy, helped to advocate and raise awareness in the fight against ALS.

“Obviously, everybody knows who Lou Gehrig is,” Cortes said. “When I first hear that name, it brings up how good of a human being he was, not only how good of a baseball player he was, because he was a great one. For me to be here and support [The ALS Association], it brings me a lot of joy. The Yankees do a phenomenal job of bringing the past to life.”

Lundqvist and LaFontaine may not have played the game of baseball, but they know what Gehrig went through with his illness. They also have a friend and relative, respectively, who were afflicted with ALS.

Lundqvist saw firsthand what his friend Chris Tschupp went through with the disease before passing away on Oct. 26 of this year. Tschupp was a professional hockey player, drafted by the Flames in 1990. He was first diagnosed with ALS in 2018. The ALS Association paid tribute to Tschupp by showing a film of his life at the dinner that emphasized his bravery throughout his battle with the disease.

“Chris was scheduled to be at the dinner,” Lundqvist said. “I’ve been helping his organization, ‘Halt ALS,’ the last couple of years. He has a strong community. A lot of his hockey friends have been showing up for it. We play music and hockey. We try to do fun, good things in a situation that is very dark in a way.”

LaFontaine’s son-in law, Randel McCoy, was afflicted with ALS before passing away in 2021. LaFontaine mentioned that his daughter, Brianna LaFontaine, was devoted to McCoy until the end.

“If somebody tells you there is a diagnosis that starts with the letter C [cancer], that’s a scary thought. But I have to tell you the three letters, ALS, are incredibly scary, too,” LaFontaine told the audience. “... I’m really here as a father. They say in your lifetime -- and if you are open to it -- your children will teach you more than anybody in your life. In this case, it’s true. My daughter -- her level of courage, love and support -- has inspired and taught us what real devotion is. To be diagnosed with ALS is one thing, but it [also] affects the caregivers. Those caregivers are something special and not everybody does that.”

The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter serves nearly 1,000 patients and families throughout New York City, Long Island, Northern & Central New Jersey, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Proceeds from all events benefit medical research, patient care services and advocacy efforts.

The ALS Association is dedicated to the fight against ALS and has received a top 4-Star Charity Navigator rating and a Gold Star from GuideStar for its charitable effectiveness. For more information about The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter, go to als-ny.org, or follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter.