The problem with this profile article isn't with Nello Ferrara who, as a huge sports fan myself, seems to have used his opportunities to play the game he loves. The problem is with Jason Buckingham, the writer, who not only manages to miss the glaringly obvious reality that a non-wealthy kid with the same desire and heart wouldn't have had the chance but also manages to insult the many less privileged people in our country who live without cars not because they're frugal and have family money to fall back on but because they're poor. Who edited this story, NYTimes?
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The Times really has an unfortunate tendency to profile people who have inherited enormous wealth and obfuscate that fact as much as possible.
In this case, we have to read between the lines to learn that the company Ferrara inherited was sold for $1.3 billion. What happened to all of that money? The Times strongly implies that Ferrara lives entirely off the investments he made with savings from his frugal living and meagre minor league hockey wages. But if he was cut out of the family fortune, isn't that worth mentioning in the article? Seems like a glaringly deliberate omission of something that wouldn't have fit the narrative.
In this case, we have to read between the lines to learn that the company Ferrara inherited was sold for $1.3 billion. What happened to all of that money? The Times strongly implies that Ferrara lives entirely off the investments he made with savings from his frugal living and meagre minor league hockey wages. But if he was cut out of the family fortune, isn't that worth mentioning in the article? Seems like a glaringly deliberate omission of something that wouldn't have fit the narrative.
12
Great! So he's untainted by the recent scandal- his family's company directed a temp agency not to send them any African-American workers
3
I've known Nello almost my entire life. He is one of the most down to earth, loyal and humble friends you could ever ask for. I've known this story for years and I'm happy Nello agreed to let someone write it. And yes, it is worthy of a film.
4
Life is for living! Nello Ferrara clearly recognized that being the scion of a powerful family and expected to be a businessman was destroying his life, making so miserable that it was leading him to make criminally stupid choices that could not only kill him, but other people as well, so instead he did what he loved best: Playing hockey.
Ask anyone who loves their job, REALLY loves their job. They'll tell you they can't believe someone PAYS them to do this, whatever this is. Movies from the 30's screwball comedy "Our Man Godfrey" to "Batman: The Beginning" have told the story of scions who needed to carve their own paths away from what's given to them on a silver platter. Nello Ferrara seems to be the living embodiment of that.
Ask anyone who loves their job, REALLY loves their job. They'll tell you they can't believe someone PAYS them to do this, whatever this is. Movies from the 30's screwball comedy "Our Man Godfrey" to "Batman: The Beginning" have told the story of scions who needed to carve their own paths away from what's given to them on a silver platter. Nello Ferrara seems to be the living embodiment of that.
3
I've probably skated with Nello about 50 times. Strong as a horse, pro shot, and a great guy.
You would never know he had any money, because he didn't. His dad (one of the most generous people in Chicago) tolerated his hockey dream, but left him on his own financially while he pursued it. Every former Blackhawk and older amateur in Chicago knows this story.
You would never know he had any money, because he didn't. His dad (one of the most generous people in Chicago) tolerated his hockey dream, but left him on his own financially while he pursued it. Every former Blackhawk and older amateur in Chicago knows this story.
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This was an excellent article! Thanks for publishing it and reminding us that dreams can come true if we're willing to work at them.
Isn't the correct term snuck in?
Great story. I live a mile fro one of the candy plants
"[Ferrara] had stopped drinking and merely wanted to bring order to his life and grow stronger in body and soul." Yet a closely-cropped photo of his basement bar showed 25 bottles of booze and nine bottles of wine. The man is entitled to a drink but a more clear-eyed story - or a more demanding editor - would have reconciled the inconsistency for the reader. The same goes for the notion that Ferrera, "living so frugally during his playing days he did not even have a car," today is an investor in four restaurants, three rental properties, and a gym. The man was heir to an immense fortune, and I don't hold that against him. But the reader's intelligence shouldn't be insulted with the suggestion that Ferrera's business portfolio came from thrifty savings of extra nickels when Ferrera was playing in Sioux City or Kalamazoo.
5
I once heard Jeff Marek (a Canadian sports broadcaster) say, when discussing the decision that young Canadian athletes make regarding a decision to pursue a life in hockey, that they go down a path that will result in wearing their names on the back of their shirts, or wearing their names on the front of their shirts.
Deep down, I am sure Ferrara knew he was never putting himself in a position to jeopardize his future livelihood by pursuing a career in a punishing, often unrewarding sport. But still, he journeyed a path of little glamour and physical sacrifice for the sake of a personal dream. Good on him for having fun (and, possibly, doing what he could to harm a Hawks team...even if they didn't need help in that regard back at that time...).
Deep down, I am sure Ferrara knew he was never putting himself in a position to jeopardize his future livelihood by pursuing a career in a punishing, often unrewarding sport. But still, he journeyed a path of little glamour and physical sacrifice for the sake of a personal dream. Good on him for having fun (and, possibly, doing what he could to harm a Hawks team...even if they didn't need help in that regard back at that time...).
Ladies and gentlemen, here is sports.
Hockey is too violent for me but this is passion I can understand - and respect!
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What a great and inspirational story!
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What a great NYT nugget!
I usually don't like the huge features absconding with the front of the Sunday sports section, but this one captured me...
Great story.....
I usually don't like the huge features absconding with the front of the Sunday sports section, but this one captured me...
Great story.....
7
Ya gotta love it. Nello skates for a lot us I'd wager.
As for "lost causes" see: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/29/opinion/in-praise-of-lost-causes.html...
As for "lost causes" see: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/29/opinion/in-praise-of-lost-causes.html...
1
Pride of place amid the basement bar memorabilia. Top Shelf in hockey-speak. Photo of Garnet "Ace" Bailey #14. Search "Widow still holds her Ace in hand".
Pittsburgh connection:Justin Duberman, Colby Armstrong both skated with the Penguinzies . Not sure if Paul Bissinete did but was drafted by them
1
Sounds like Billy Madison meets Happy Gilmore.
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The Blackhawks had a marketing partnership with Ferrara candy for years, and you could get Lemonheads at games. I wonder if they were closer to Nello Ferrara than they let on.
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The story doesn't explain how much of Ferrara's extended adolescence was trust-funded by his wealthy family. It also doesn't investigate the damage done by his driving home every night after downing 10 vodkas.
I'm glad that my sons didn't turn out like him.
I'm glad that my sons didn't turn out like him.
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How do you know that his father wasn't happy with the way he turned out.
It looks like he is doing OK, he's married and has invested his money in restaurants and real estate.
You are just jealous because your sons don't have the guts to go for something like this.
It looks like he is doing OK, he's married and has invested his money in restaurants and real estate.
You are just jealous because your sons don't have the guts to go for something like this.
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Really? I'm glad you're not my dad...
12
Turn out like what exactly? Someone who cured himself of abusing alcohol by becoming an athlete, and scraped together a career out of his devotion to the sport, against the wishes of his family's business? That's what you don't want your kids to emulate? Perseverance, dedication, loyalty, hard work? He would be a better role model had he stayed an unhappy (but wealthy) drunk?
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Love it -- but what happened at the Blackhawks practice after he plunked Thibault?!
14
Exactly- I kept turning pages looking for the conclusion
1
Great story. To play hockey is second-nature in Canada for most boys. To play hockey well enough to make it in 'Junior A' and the NHL is like dying and going to heaven - well, almost. It is ballet on ice, a tough game to master.
The game attracts colorful players. Eddy Shack comes to mind.
He wasn't a great player. Maple Leaf fans loved him. Unlike Ferrara's unique exploits, "The Nose", as Shack was called, earned four Stanely Cup victories with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1960s, and scored the winning goal in 1963 Cup - "claiming famously that he had scored the goal off his backside and was only trying to get out of the way."
Clear the Track, here comes Shack! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Shack
The game attracts colorful players. Eddy Shack comes to mind.
He wasn't a great player. Maple Leaf fans loved him. Unlike Ferrara's unique exploits, "The Nose", as Shack was called, earned four Stanely Cup victories with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1960s, and scored the winning goal in 1963 Cup - "claiming famously that he had scored the goal off his backside and was only trying to get out of the way."
Clear the Track, here comes Shack! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Shack
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Eddie. Yes, quite the schnozola :)
2
When I was about 10, I played against Shack in a minor hockey novelty game in Cape Breton. He was at least years out of the league, but had little trouble whistling a wrist shot past me. It was merciful, as stopping it would have hurt!
1
This a tremendously inspiring story. Through sheer will, passion and desire, Mr. Ferrara has done more with an 'average' skill set then most of us will ever do in our areas of strength. We can all learn from this. Find what you love to do and give it maximum effort and see what happens. You may not end of skating on 'Hockey Night in Canada' but you will be happy and fulfilled. I wish Mr. and Mrs. Ferrara continued health, happiness and success.
38
The urge to keep moving and to be active is more important than the presumed qualities of an office life. Good for him.
11
nello should have a statue and not just for him
but for all those that wished but couldnt
but for all those that wished but couldnt
15
Just when I thought I should use this rainy day to review my 401K along comes a story about what life is about.
22
Played with this kid some years back. Drove a Range Rover while the rest of us were trying to scrape together a living. Total joke
38
Wonderful story. Nello Ferrara is an inspiration to one and all. Hockey has always been my favorite sport, in part because it's salted with journeymen like Ferrara.
6
A fabulous and inspiring story. If nothing else, the Blackhawks are missing out on a great marketing opportunity.
2
Great article. So many individuals like Ferrara are never revealed to the public, and stories like his are inspirational.
He has passion and desire, as well as the willingness to carry on. He is determined. He recognized his true love and went for it. I think that's fantastic.
Keep going, Nello! (And, if you're around this fall, maybe make a trip to the NY Rangers' training facility. Love to have you!!!)
He has passion and desire, as well as the willingness to carry on. He is determined. He recognized his true love and went for it. I think that's fantastic.
Keep going, Nello! (And, if you're around this fall, maybe make a trip to the NY Rangers' training facility. Love to have you!!!)
8
Guitar man! The King!
Great story about the value of perseverance. Nello isn't a great hockey player but he is a better person than where he was headed.
8
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The American dream.
5
Good for Nello!
This story reminds me of something a former baseball pro - Jim Bouton, maybe? - once said: "You spend years gripping the baseball, and then it turns out it was the other way around all along."
This story reminds me of something a former baseball pro - Jim Bouton, maybe? - once said: "You spend years gripping the baseball, and then it turns out it was the other way around all along."
9
This story is an inspiration to Americans who were born into great family wealth, reminding them that they, too, can be imposters and play games they're not very good at, secure in the knowledge that the family fortune will always be there to back them up.
41
Bravo, Nello!!
5
Another great story, keep them coming.
5
This needs to be a movie!!
3
Was also thinking about the movie component Ags, but wondered where the character evolution is? Needs a final act other than waiting for the phone to ring. Glad he's found sobriety; for now.
He's the hockey sprite. Appears briefly here and there and then vanishes to re-appear at yet another time. A hockey sprite! Call him Puck.
10
Nice article. It helps show how difficult it is to go from amateur to pro.
5
I don't think 99% of the general population has any cares or sympathy for a trust fund kid who has the luxury to follow his passion/hobby while the rest of us have to work for financial stability. Then again, your publication caters to the left leaning of the top 1%, so it wouldn't really matter what the rest of us think. I have been too lazy to cancel my subscription, but upon reading this article, will do so immediately. Thank you very much, for once again, making me feel left out and poor, despite the fact that I make mid six figures.
20
I don't have any care or sympathy for him either, but I thought it was an interesting and therefore worthwhile article, like endless others in NYT, which is why I don't cancel my subscription.
2
Boy, did you get up on the wrong side of the bed! I envy you your 6 figures, but I think you are missing the point of the story. And, yes, he is fortunate to be able to pursue his love of the game - but so are you.
16
Lighten up, Francis.
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Thanks. Great story. Reminiscent of Paul Newman's SLAP SHOT.
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Very interesting man and his story and good for him for pursuing his dream. But the more than slight glorification of his "willingnesss to do whatever it took for his teammates" (e.g. fighf; be the savage) is bizarre. Aren't you the same newspaper that chronicled the painful story of Derek Boogaard as well as other players who suffered from trauma - both mental and physical - from their years of fighting?
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Joe, best reply yet.
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It's inspiring to find someone who devotes his life to sport simply for the desire to play
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When does the movie come out? LOL
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