CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — WNY soccer great Rudy Pikuzinski has started a foundation and introduced a line of clothing to raise funds and awareness of ALS.
The name of the effort is also a shout out to the spirit of his hometown, it is called I bleed Buffalo, a phrase he used during his induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Rudy was the Buffalo Blizzard's all-time point leader, a five-time league champion, three-time mvp, league all-star eight times. He scored over 500 goals in his career, but now, he has one goal in mind.
"It's just my way of trying to do something to try and you know help out with this dreadful disease." His driving force is the memory of his brother Richie. "A woman told me one time that God takes the angels first and believe me, I know it's my brother, but people that know Richie will tell you he was truly an angel."
Richie Pikuzinski, was a popular principal at the Falk school, one who is remembered for his commitment to his job, his community and his family. Richie passed away from ALS in 2011.
Rudy says his brother embodied the principles that have driven him his entire life.
"Represent your family yourself, who you play for, who you work for, give 100%, take pride and be proud. You know, I firmly believe in that, I believed that my whole career, you know, and my whole life, till this day. I've got to try to do the best I can in everything I can and that's basically what it's all about."
What he is doing now is trying to raise funds to battle ALS and to raise awareness.
Rudy started a clothing line called "I bleed Buffalo" selling memorabilia and clothing that celebrate Buffalo's spirit and support those who suffer from ALS.
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