2002, Proudfoot began planning a book to examine about which traits and qualities result in greatness in a CFL player. Following several years of interviews, research and writing Proudfoot's book entitled "First and Goal: The CFL and the Pursuit of Excellence" was published in 2006. The book includes insights from 44 coaches and players, including Dave Dickenson, Wally Buono and Geroy Simon. Jack Todd described the book as a "compelling analysis of all the factors that make the game entertaining and complex." Proudfoot saw some of the injured from his office window during the 2006 Dawson College shooting, and descended with his first aid kit. While the shooting continued and until a stretcher arrived about 15 minutes later, he tended to a student who had been shot in the head. The young man survived. Illness and death Proudfoot first noticed that his speech was slurred while lecturing at Concordia University in February, 2007. A diagnosis of bulbar onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a motor neuron disorder, was made in early May at the Montreal Neurological Institute. The disease, also known as "Lou Gehrig's disease", affects the nerve cells of the central nervous system leading to increasing paralysis of muscles that control voluntary movement and, eventually, death. Listeners to his broadcasts as a football analyst on CJAD noticed his speech disorder, and some suggested that he was drunk. As a result, in June 2007, Proudfoot publicly revealed that he had ALS. Proudfoot commented at the time "I'm a physical-education teacher. I've spent my whole life being active, so it's ironic to now get a muscle disease." In addition, Proudfoot noted the irony of a radio broadcaster and teacher losing his ability to speak. His one-time teammate on the Alouettes, Larry Uteck was also diagnosed with ALS and died from it in 2002. Proudfoot was widely admired for the lack of self-pity, bravery and humour he showed in facing the disease, and for using it as an opportunity for education and to raise money for research. He wrote that he had determined to "Suck it up and get on with life (remember, no whining allowed!) and enjoy every day." Proudfoot retired from Dawson College and Concordia University, but initially continued to work as a football analyst on CJAD. He served as a guest coach for the Alouettes during the team's 2008 training camp. He was invited back for 2009 despite no longer