The Grey Cup is the most wonderful week in sports in all of Canada. Seriously, what other single sports week in the nation is better than this one? Knowing that the 103rd Grey Cup will be played this Sunday in Winnipeg makes us all feel a bit nostalgic of Grey Cups past. We all remember the times when our teams earned the right to host that elusive trophy and unfortunately, other times we dwell on the what-ifs of when our teams were inches away from victory.
For me, my favourite Grey Cup memory, besides the 97th Grey Cup which I wrote about last season, is the 100th Grey Cup. The game itself is not what makes this Grey Cup stick out in my memory more than the rest but the lead-up to the game is something I will never forget.
100th Grey Cup Tour
The Grey Cup train toured the country prior to the big game played on November 25, 2012 at the Rogers Center and paid a visit to my hometown of Montreal on October 20th. I had decided last second- as in the night before- to miss work and go with my childhood friend and devoted football fan, Adreano.
The day was warm for October and we were walking around in t-shirts. A beautiful day to enjoy and celebrate football in this great country. We made our eventful trek to Montreal’s old port early in the morning and arrived at the site around 9am. In the line to wait to board the stationary train, I noticed the former Alouette and two-time Grey Cup champion Matthieu Proulx a few feet from where I was.
I nervously approached him and asked him if he was Proulx, just to make sure, and so I called Adreano over, who was at the boutique tent and we took pictures with the retired defensive back. Apparently, camera crews had also noticed Proulx and immediately started filming us taking pictures with him, which led to our first-ever appearance on Sportscenter the following morning.
Once we climbed onto the touring train, we witnessed a beautiful display of the past and present of the CFL. The first car was lined with history of the Grey Cup, including relics of games past and an interactive display of all the past 99 Grey Cup winners. The second car had old Grey Cup rings on display, showing the contrast from the early rings to the most modern. The final two cars, and probably the most elegant, had a replica display of a CFL locker room with 24 different player stalls and their equipment. All eight teams at the time were represented with three players. As a young fan, this was probably the best of the three trains.
Once the tour of the train was over, we made our way to visit the Grey Cup. Oh, how beautiful it was. In the bright Montreal sun with its cool gold draped over the Cup’s shining silver, the Grey Cup displayed it’s true beauty. Like dazzling and exquisite women, who are chased by countless men, this Cup has eluded some of the greatest football players in the country, and here I was, standing right next it. Touching it. For a few seconds, it was mine.
Following the visit to the Grey Cup train and the in-person meeting of the Grey Cup itself, I began to appreciate the trophy, the league and the tradition even more than I did before. I watched the 100th Grey Cup game, between the Toronto Argonauts and Calgary Stampeders, with full interest and have been watching the CFL with a certain enthusiasm ever since.
Every year, around October, I remember that day as if it happened yesterday and I know it means one thing. It’s Grey Cup time. The most interesting week in the country.
