FINAL FACEBOOK POST...for a whle I never had any intention of having a personal Facebook page. I accepted the need to have a professional page as an unfortunate reality of the modern age. Just walking out on TV with a book in my hand was simply not going to be enough to connect with fans, and I realized that if I didnt start swimming, I might well just sink like a stone. I only started a personal page as a way of keeping in touch with the child I had sponsored in the Philippines through Child Fund International from the time she was 4, as she worked her way through nursing school. I didnt even use my real name. But as many of you well know, there is an addictive quality to this Facebook thing. Until the point where I made my first Santa friend on Facebook, I had a total of 12 friends. Now, I have hundreds - with the vast majority of those friends consisting of Santas from around the globe. Until recently, keeping in touch with those who share my passion for Santa and all things Christmas was fun. Now, its not. For those who dont dont know, I will never be medically cleared to wrestle again. In the pursuit of entertaining fans and making a living for my family, I put my body on the line too often, absorbed way too many blows, and suffered far more concussions than I had previously thought possible.Two top neurologists told me in no uncertain terms that I could never set foot inside the ring again. I have signed papers that will allow the Boston Center for Traumatic Encephalopathy to study my brain upon my death to better understand the effects of repetitive concussions on the human brain. Becoming a Santa was a true joy to me - with the thrill I received from seeing the magic of Christmas reflected in the eye of a single child making me feel every bit as special as the cheers from 20,000 in Madison Square garden had once upon a time. It was a joy that I discovered through the filming of the movie I am Santa Claus, and it was with that joy that I through myself headlong into the role of a producer on the movie - taking special care that respect was shown to the men profiled in the movie, who like me, took such pride in wearing the red suit. There are certain things I can no longer do because of the repercussions from my in-ring injuries. Ill never again know the thrill of riding a water slide, and have ridden my last wooden roller-coaster - no small setback for a former card-carrying member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts. I have an aversion to bright lights. Flash photos are particularly difficult, unless I look slightly off camera in anticipation of the flash. Computers are a big problem, as looking at the screen for more than an hour results in major headaches. But I need that computer for so many things - booking flights, e-mails, the tweets and the Facebook posts from my main account that allow me to continue to make a living. So, I have to be as productive as possible within that one hour window. After giving the matter much thought, I have decided that I refuse to spend any part of that hour reading harsh words, name calling insults, and even threats from members of the Santa Claus community. I do have the sneaking suspicion, however, that most of the name-callers, and insult hurlers are upset largely about Santa Jim, our gay Santa. I love Jim, and so will most people who approach the film with an open mind. Some of you are going to do a darn good job trying to convince yourself after the fact that you didnt like Jim, and werent touched by his story. A prediction before I go. This movie is not going to tarnish the reputation of the Santa Claus community - but these knee-jerk reactions to it, by people who have yet to see the movie, almost certainly will. The irony of the pro-wrestler who absorbed more abuse from Santa Clauses than he did from angry wrestling fans is not likely to be lost on members of the media looking for a good story. Being a Santa on Facebook was supposed to be a welcome break from reality for me. It was supposed to be a continuation of that joy I felt when bringing joy to others. I fear that staying on here any longer will eliminate that joy for good. Thank you to many of the great Santas out there for your kind words and friendship. I will look forward to seeing many of you in my travels across the country and the globe. and will continue to have my respect and friendship even if our movie doesnt turn out to be your cup of cocoa. Most of us can disagree without becoming disagreeable. LeBron James turns off his social media during the season, so as not to allow it to become a distraction from the job at hand. Im essentially doing the same thing; blocking out the negativity until after the New Year, in order to be the best best producer, the best father, the best husband, the best Santa - the best person that I can be. Sincerely, Mick Foley
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 07:05:58 +0000
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