For many of you who haven't followed the Argonauts until recent years, you are probably wondering what I would be doing writing about Wayne Gretzky's 50th birthday in an Argo blog. Well 20 years ago around this time, Bruce McNall, John Candy and yes Wayne Gretzky owned the Toronto Argonauts Football Club and put the team on the map south of the border.
Not only did these owners bring celebrity status to the city of Toronto, but they brought attention from our neighbours south of the border by stealing the Oakland Raiders #1 draft pick in 1991, Raghib "Rocket" Ismail. I remember the day like it was yesterday. The equipment manager, Danny Webb, called me and told me to turn it on the NFL draft, which is something that I historically never hurried to watch. As I turned the TV on, there was Chris Berman stating that "the number one draft pick has decided to go to the Toronto Argonauts Football Club of the Canadian Football league for a rumoured $4 million per year, the highest salary in pro football."
This of course became big news in no time. The owners earlier promise to make the Toronto Argonauts the talk of the CFL ws starting to become a reality. In June 0f 1991, the "SkyDome" had almost 40,000 fans for the home opener. This was one of the biggest regular season attendances in Argonauts' history.
That season, Wayne et. al brought such celebrities to the game as Marty McSorley, Dan Ackroyd and various other notables. The sidelines became a "who's that" attraction for not only fans but players and staff, such as myself.
People however began to wonder if the Argos were for real. Rocket was injured a few times during the season and despite the early 7 and 1 start fans wondered if we would sizzle out. However, thanks to the great leadership of Adam Rita and owners that spoiled us with gifts and treated us as though we were celebrities, we found ourselves in -18 degrees weather in the 75th Grey Cup championship.
Dramatically, we won the game with Hollywood-type scenarios occurring around the game, such as a player playing in his last game of football due to a career ending injury, a quarterback playing with a separated shoulder and a 21 year old rookie phenomenon that put all the naysayers to rest by taking a kick off the distance to seal the victory.
Here is where my memory of Wayne comes in. After the game, the celebrations began with champagne, tears and for myself, awe that I had won my first Grey Cup as a locker room attendant. As I went to my locker to change into other clothes, I realized that sitting away from all the hoopla in my locker was Wayne and Janet Gretzky. So I walked over and in my meek and timid voice asked: "excuse me Mr. Gretzky, I am just going to get changed" he giggled and said to me: "you have a lot of time to do that, for now just go and celebrate with the guys. Championships don't come as often as you hope so enjoy it while you can."
I couldn't believe that Wayne Gretzky actually talked to me. But I never forgot his words of wisdom because I have been able to experience seasons where I wondered if I would ever get another championship.
The next June I was privileged to be the last person called up on stage at the annual "Meet the Argo Luncheon" to receive my first Grey Cup ring from the owners which included Wayne Gretzky. Those memories will last a life time so I will end off by saying Happy Birthday Wayne and Thanks.
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