The Day after- The Night before

Well its been far too long since my last blog both on the Argo site and on this site. I actually sit here at the end of the off season and the day after our first pre- season game of 2011. 31-12 over the Hamilton Tiger Cats. One would say pre-season isn't one of the finer things to look forward to and as a matter of fact winning or losing them has no bearing on the results in the playoffs. However, there are times that winning your pre-season games is a huge lift for any team. Last year we won our first game by a few points against the tabbies. then lost the second game against the Als. The previous two years were split as well. There are no trends in winning or losing the preseason games but I know that the team on the field Saturday had an air of confidence and attitude about them. I can say that that confidence and attitude that this city hasn't seen in sometime. Torontonians have a reason to be excited about one team this year.

I have just prepared for a two week getaway in the beautiful island of Hawaii. This will be probably the first time I have been absent during the season in a long time. I will be doing something I am quite passionate about aside from football. Scuba diving. I've dreamt of scuba diving and after a long hesitation, I have finally achieved certification and I am an advanced Diver and ready to finally do what I thought I would do as young child. Scuba Dive amongst the sea life of the Ocean. I will be doing this with my wife whom I am very excited to be able to share the experience with.

My hope is to be able to blog a few times while away in regards to the trip to Hawaii and then return to my blog to continue my life with the Toronto Argonauts.

Til next time.

Changing bullying one child at a time; Does anybody know?

On March 10, 2011 the US government set up an anti-bullying policy making principals responsible for students’ activities on and off school property including social media. There are some privacy concerns with this policy but in my opinion I believe that students should refrain from bullying behavior always, regardless if it's within the walls of the school or not. The fact that this issue was addressed by a Federal government signifies how important it is that we never sweep this under the rug and the the role social media plays within the lives of our youth of today.
The other day I was sent a “you tube” file that showed one boy being filmed while he bullied another boy that was seemed to be irritated by the situation. It wasn’t a surprise to see the boy being bullied retaliate and physically harm the boy bullying. Some would say that it’s the best way to deal with a person who is bullying, however there are a lot of negative consequences that could arise from that reaction. The actual bullying situation didn’t bother me as much as the bystanders that stood around to see this happening and do nothing to change the situation, even going as far as to film it on an electronic device. The unfortunate truth is that there aren’t any kids using an electronic device to show the internet world someone saving someone from a bad situation.
As we continuosly take players and cheerleaders to schools in the GTA we hope that we can make a difference in one child life that maybe that person that refuses to allow someone to be mistreated. Many people don’t even know about the number of students we have affected mainly because that’s not the information that is published or talked about in public. It is extremely rewarding to hear a school tell us how students talked about the issue of bullying after we have left the school because that tells me that the awareness part of our campaign is working. Not to mention the countless stories from kids via e-mails and schools sending us testimonials. In fact, at a couple of presentations a few students spoke up as to how they were currently being bullied and in some cases almost to a state of extreme depression. The good news is that schools are addressing these situations, the bad news is we need to hear more of the good news to diminish the bad.
Our latest addition to our facebook page the”Huddle Up” tab, will hopefully be the platform and voice students need. Each and every player that has shared his personal stories from the past and present such as Adrion Smith to Ricky Foley is always rewarded to hear how their message has been echoed in the halls and online. In fact, it was never unusual for a student to yell out the acronym “R.A.R.E” which was given to them at an assembly by Adrion Smith. This is the kind of thing that keeps our programs and players desire to be involved so strong. My hope is that we have more people using the internet tools such as our Facebook tab, as the voice of positivity and guidance instead of a weapon of bullying. Please help us by liking us on Facebook and demonstrating that our efforts are not in vain.

“Make your passion your Life and No one can take that away.

Imagine what if…….

Imagine what ifs are always part of football or any sport. What if we scored on the first drive, what if we just stopped them when it was 2nd and 10 or simply what if we made it past Montreal. The “what ifs” in sports are always great to think about, but harmless in nature. However, as I listened to one of Cory Boyd speak about his bullying experiences I began to reflect on some of the other speeches of former Huddle Up players like Chuck Winters who talked about choices and how they mould you for the future. He reaches the students by explaining how he almost never gave football another shot after University. If he never showed up for the Arena football tryout, he would have never made the team and been in touch with Rich Stubler who then brought him to be a part of our 2004 Grey Cup team. Even Pinball who throughout his football career was told you aren’t big enough. Then when he finally made it to the NFL he was released due to injuries. Had he not answered the phone call from Ralph Sazio of the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts he would have probably never been such a big part of our storied franchise, and there is no telling where we would be. Those “what ifs” are a key part of life and specifically our message to youth during the bullying presentations. Personally, if it wasn’t for a bystander stepping up for me I wouldn’t be here at all. Then not making the phone call to the Toronto Argonauts hoping they would have room for one more ball boy. Never would I have imagined that the call 27 years ago would result in me creating a 10 year bullying prevention program affecting over 250,000 students in the Greater Toronto Area. I would hate to think of the “what if” that person never spoke up for me in my high school.
I am quite sure that someone or something in your life has allowed you to carry on in some way and I’d love to hear your “what if” story with how someone or something changed your life.

“Make your passion your Life and No one can take that away.

Happy 50th Birthday Wayne Gretzky

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.

Tis The Season

Its the time of year when we wind down our work schedule and for some offices it means a closed office and time off. Family time is so precious and as I think about the holiday season, I think about the events that I was a part of with the Argonauts. We have done countless hospital visits, food drives and toy drives over the holidays but one comes to mind that stands out above the rest.

I didn't go as Jason Colero but rather as the "Argo Bounce", the lovable unknown mascot who was the last mascot to be a part of a Grey Cup team. Yes the cats out of the bag, (plug all the little ones ears), I was the Argo Bounce in 2004. My journey as the mascot will be left for another entry, but this entry is dedicated to a Christmas visit I did in the December of 2004 just after our Grey Cup victory. Aside from the cup making hospital visits, school visits and such it made a visit to an event hosted at the Liberty Grand for underprivileged youth. The cup was on display with a few of our players, but I had the pleasure of playing Argo Bounce. It was a routine visit for the most part with kids high-fiving me, pulling the tail, putting their head into my snout but there was a young girl who took a liking to the Argo Bounce. She trailed me throughout my 1 hour appearance even when there was an announcement for kids to line up to meet Saint Nick himself. What had an effect on me that I will never forget was the young girls attachment to this furry creature. When I had to leave to get out of costume I had a bit of a difficult time. This young girl held my hand and pleaded for me to stay and not leave her. She was saddened by the fact that she would be alone. This girl probably experienced this before whether in her home life or maybe at school. Nonetheless, I thought about this and something as simple as a mascot spending time with these young children may have made them feel better about Christmas.

As I drove home to a family party where food and drink and gift exchange awaited, I couldn't help but feel very lucky to have had a decent childhood and an opportunity to work with this football team. Where I would have opportunities such as this to learn the value of having friends and family around you during this wonderful time of the year.

Hope to blog again real soon.

But for all of you reading. Thank You and...Merry Christmas!

The Reflection of my first Grey Cup

I was going to talk about the off season program just around the corner, the Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program, however as I read a local newspaper's Grey Cup quiz I began to reflect the various Grey Cup visits I made through my career. The quiz, in the Toronto Star, I thought would be an interesting way to showcase such a historic event but much to my surprise it was designed more as a mockery of the event with an underlying tone of education. At least the following article by Damien Cox did this event the justice it deserved.

I go back to my first involvement to a Grey Cup and it was the first to be played in the Sky Dome. Over 50,000 fans filled the stadium ad it would go down as probably the best Grey Cup game ever played. I was merely a spectator with little duty at the game.

Two years later we were in the spotlight and with the likes of the Rocket, Pinball, Dunigan and some of my closest friends that I made in my first year 1985. I had made a few journeys of seasons with Brazley, Schultz, Ferrone and Pruenster as well as Ilesic, Chomyc and some others. Now we would be playing in -18 weather without the windchill. The week in Winnipeg was a whirlwind for me. The activities during the week would warrant its own its own blog but one event that stood out in my mind was the night before the game hearing how Matt Dunigan was practicing in the hotel ballroom just to make that appearance in the Grey Cup. He wanted to play regardless of how injured he was. This game day heroics would go alongside linebacker Chris Gaines, who had already declared he was playing his last game of pro football at a very young career.

We were the most hated team in Canada probably because we were the talk of not only the country but south of the border. After all we had the highest paid pro athlete at the time from Notre Dame. Bruce McNall, Wayne Gretzky and John Candy would steal the first round draft pick of the NFL. As we arrived in Winnipeg, the Grey Cup atmosphere wasnt so glamourous for us as we were booed wherever our leather Argonauts Root jackets were recognized. My first experience at a Grey Cup was not too a wonderful start but would be a wonderful finish.

No sooner did our players enter the field amongst a stadium of boos, did they surround the Grey Cup to the echos of the commissioner announce " The winners of the 75th Grey Cup, the Toronto Argonauts".

The memories of my first Grey Cup were complete at the annual "Meet The Argo Luncheon" in 1992. The luncheon was the event where our players would be introduced to our fans and media. It was also a time when the team is presented their rings and in front of a crowd of 400 people, to my surprise and the other ball boys surprise, the host introduced both myself and the ball boy to get our rings. My first Grey Cup ring. I look at the ring and remember and thank all those that were a part of giving my the first of many memories.

So to that writer from the Star that felt this event is one worth making jokes about, aside from an event that bridges viewers coast to coast once a year, aside from one of the oldest championships in North America and aside from an event that signifies our Canadian heritage and is nearing its 100Th year, it is also an event that has created memories for players, staff and fans from all the teams involved in the game.

Tale of two Seasons

This past week has marked the end of two successful seasons. Both coming to an end disappointing for those involved however both with a hidden reward.

First I would like to address the community program, Level the Playing Field. On Tuesday the 16th of November at 1:00, Downsview Secondary a first year team after almost 20 years of not having a team, played in the Varsity Development league finals against the second year team after about 25 years, Danfort tech. The outcome was not favourable for the undefeated Mustangs of Downsview Secondary as they lost the game after leading the second half.

It was sad but the teams that were introduced to the TDSB this year had a great start and have established something in their schools that gave about 150 young men a new sense of belonging.

As I left the field, I send a text message to Downsviews Argo ambassador, quarterback Cleo Lemon who was coming off an uplifting win to upset the Hamilton Tiger Cats. He was in the midst of an intense week of preparation for the Argos first appearance in an Eastern Final since 2007. The game would take place in Montreal on the following Sunday.

In the office, we had all been invited to attend the game in Montreal courtesy of our owner David Braley. We would be some friendly cheers for our boatmen at the Big O. Our arrival into Montreal was hi-lited by the famous Argo chant and extremely excited morale.

I was asked if I wanted to be on the sidelines by my friend and first boss at the Argos, Equipment Manager, Danny Webb. I was excited to be able to go back to my roots and perhaps be that extra set of hands to contribute to an Argo victory, however on the Saturday I had decided that it was probably a good idea to sit with my colleagues in the stands and give my support from unfamiliar territory for me in the playoffs, the seats. I didn't know what to expect. Danny understood completely but said how I'd be missed on those sidelines.

I would now don my lucky 00 Argo Bounce jersey that was undefeated at the Big O. I was proud to wear it because the last time I wore it I was changing with the Alouettes mascots only to be taunted and told that the Als already have their post game party planned. They also said how they couldn't wait to go to Ottawa. I would be re missed if I said that I didn't feel what they felt before. In fact, in 1988 as the 14-4 Toronto Argonauts took the field for the last time at the Exhibition Stadium on a very rainy day, I had my bag somewhat prepacked for Ottawa because it would be my first trip to a Grey Cup as a ball boy. First I had to fulfill my duty with the visiting Blue Bombers. After a few jaunts and taunts by Rod Hill, James Wild West and the late Tyrone Jones I would be unpacking my bag later that night and getting ready to watch the Bombers take on the Lions in the Grey Cup. However, that day in 2004 as quick as the mascots from the Als explained how their champs cant be beat, I was putting the mascot costume in my bag thinking about what I'll need to wear underneath it in the cold weather in Ottawa at the Grey Cup.

This year however, there would be no upset. We suffered to the hands of the Als in an embarrassing 49-17 loss. My first playoff game in the stands could be my last. It really wasn't too enjoyable to have Vuvuzela's echo to the beat of Ole ole ole ole only 10 seats away from us. Our enthusiastic Argo chant would be drowned out by the second quarter. It was truly a sad day to be an Argo fan, but one where there was a lesson to be learned. The fans of the Als were extremely passionate about their team and in a stadium of 58,000 plus, they made the atmosphere electric. I would love the day when we can have 40,000 plus at the Rogers centre for any Argo game. At any rate kudos to the Als and their fans for a victory on the field and in the stands. Not to play sour grapes I did hear something that was a little disturbing to me and my buddy and Argos game day producer, Steve. During the game while a player was injured to entertain the fans, music was played. I can see how it is a way to take peoples attention off the injury timeout, but what was pretty disturbing was during Cory Boyd's injury where it looked a little serious as he had to be carried off by teammates, he and many people were serenaded by "Hit the Road Jack". I am going to take the side of ignorance and assume that the game day operations of the Als just happened to play that song, but in talking to Steve it is always better to not play anything when a players career could teeter on the outcome of that timeout. That thought was echoed by my wife who saw the game on TV and told me before I could say anything about it. She wondered about their choice in music as well.

The train ride home gave me alot to think about. As disappointing as a loss like this is, at the end of a day it is a sport and there can only be one winner.

Next Blog I will chat about what lies ahead for the 10th year of the Huddle Up program with a little reflection on some of the 10 years of this program.