DANDRIDGE, Tenn.—The National Professional Fishing League has canceled the Chad Poteat ALS Fundraiser tournament scheduled for Wednesday due to potentially dangerous weather conditions on Cherokee Lake. The decision was made after tournament officials reviewed National Weather Service data and determined that imminent weather conditions are likely to make boating unsafe.
“It’s disappointing to cancel any event, but especially tough to cancel a fundraiser like this,” said NPFL president Brad Fuller. “Chad Poteat is one of our own, and we want to do all we can to support Chad and his family during this difficult time. Despite this setback, we’ll find other ways to help, and we’re confident that fishing fans will join us in that effort.”
Those who have already signed up for the fundraiser will have their donations refunded in full, and the NPFL will announce other means of donating to the cause.
Poteat has competed in the NPFL since 2024 and was recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare and devastating neurodegenerative disorder that results in the progressive loss of muscle control. It’s better known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease” after being contracted by baseball’s legendary Hall-of-Famer in the 1930s.
