Rob Ford appointed to Hockey Hall of Fame board of directors

Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford was appointed to the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum's board of directors, the museum announced Saturday.

Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford was appointed to the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum's board of directors, reportsThe Windsor Star.

A museum spokesman told the Star that Ford, now a city councilor, was elected to the board at a March 25 meeting along with two others.

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Ford drew infamy and widespread criticism in 2013 after admitting he had smoked crack cocaine. He ended his bid for re-election as mayor last year after he was diagnosed with malignant liposarcoma, a rare type of soft tissue cancer. He later ran for and was elected to his old seat in city council.

Ford told reporters that he grew up a hockey fan and was excited to help support the game in Canada. He will not be on the committee that selects inductees into the hall of fame.

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"When people call me they know they're getting someone that's experienced," he said. "I've got season tickets to the Leafs and I'm obsessed with hockey and obviously football but hockey's my number one sport and I'm going to try to just keep pushing it."

The Hockey Hall of Fame, which is based in Toronto, also elected councilors Mark Grimes and Stephen Holyday to the board at the March 25 meeting.

- Mike Fiammetta