Then came the day we got the bad news that he had to have both legs amputated because of his diabetes, and weak heart. Now, here's the fantastic story that has changed many lives.....
It was Friday afternoon and the operation was to take place at 7:00 AM Monday morning. Johnny called me at home and simply said, "Hey, Babe, I just wanted to call and say goodbye and thank you so very much for all the things you've done to help me out the last six years. This has just been too much for me and I'm not going to make it through the operation Monday."
I got a little panicky about how to respond and just blurted out, "Hey, Johnny, what the hell are you talking about, YOU'RE A CELTIC!! not a Laker or 76er. You don't just give up. YOU"LL MAKE IT!!
He just said, with a smile in his voice, "Thanks again for everything Babe, I love you forever. I'll see ya later," and hung up the phone.
I knew I had to call someone for help but just didn't know who. I suddenly remembered the man who was somewhat of a team chaplain, not only for the Celtics but for the other teams in the NBA, Bill Alexson. He was a former basketball player, had a Divinity degree and had started a unique
organization called "Sports Ministries." He traveled to the NBA cities and before each game, held a 2-3 minute prayer meeting with BOTH teams in attendance.
I called him at his home in Maryland and his wife said he had just left for the game in Detroit. I asked her to have him call me as soon as she heard from him. I then proceeded to the Celtic game. I was shocked when I entered the Celtic press room... seated there was, BILL ALEXSON! I asked him what he was doing here and he said, with a strange look on his face, "I don't know. I started out for Detroit and, at the airport, I suddenly found myself changing up and coming to Boston."
"I said, well, Billy, sit down and wait 'til you hear what I've got to tell you."
(Let me insert here that for several weeks things were looking dim for the future of Sports Ministry and Bill was feeling very "down" about it. Jan Volk rescinded his season's credentials saying that the league wasn't certain that they should be involved in a religious issue. Bill said that when he told the Celts players both Larry Bird and Dennis Johnson told him to come in on their pass but he still felt a little strange and doubt of the Ministry's future was heavy on his heart.)
As I told Bill the story about Johnny's phone call I suddenly could see him getting stronger and confidence began to show on his face and in his voice. "Can you get him on the phone right now," said Bill. When I did he took the phone and talked to Johnny for several minutes then said he was going to grab a cab and would be right down. He promised to call me at my home after the game and, when he called, about 11:30, I knew everything was going to be alright. He put Johnny on the phone and, after several apologies for scaring me, and several "thanks Babes," he promised he would be ready to do the sportshow on Monday night. Of course I knew that was out of the question but it heartened me that he was in that spirit. (Johnny's eldest son, Jaimey, DID call the show and we yaked away about his famous Dad." Jaimey said that Johnny came around about 6:30 and said, "Get me to a phone so I can do the show with Jim." The kids chuckled and Jaimey reminded him of where he was and promised that HE would do the show for him. It was a great show and tons of people called to wish Johnny a speedy recovery. I learned later that Johnny listened to the show with tears running down his cheeks. (He hadn't done a Celtic game in a long time and figured everybody had forgotten him.) Johnny was truly a humble guy and never thought of himself as something special...but he most assuredly WAS SPECIAL as all who knew him will tell you.
I'll tell you more about Johnny Most in future editions.....Stay tuned.....
BILL ALEXSON, look him up on facebook.....not only did he go on with Sports Ministries but he took it a few steps further gathering up helpers (disciples if you will) and spread into hockey all over the world and eventually the Olympics. My feelings were that he had gathered enough confidence and sense of purpose from the "Johnny Most happening" that he never doubted himself, or anything, ever again. He's saved many an athlete from the brink of giving up, a couple that I've witnessed myself. Billy, if you're reading this...remember Ed Pinckney? (former Celtic who Bill helped)
There is no doubt in my mind that, because of Johnny Most, many athletes have been given a new and positive outlook on themselves through Bill Alexson's efforts. They may never have come to be if not for that miraculous happening with Johnny Most. Nobody has ever come up with an explanation as to why Bill Alexson changed his mind and went to Boston instead of Detroit on that life-changing day. I told this story to a priest a few years ago and he reminded me "that God works in mysterious ways and is not limited to the instruments he may use." In this case.....Johnny Most.