2 days Ago By [email protected] (Gilbert Ngabo)
wide receiver Dejon Brissett darted toward the microphone before a jubilant crowd at Maple Leaf Square, splashed champagne in the air and awkwardly flipped the bottle before watching it shatter into pieces on the concrete. “My bad, my bad,” the 28-year-old said, prompting additional cheers. “Probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.
” What wasn’t dumb was his performance two days earlier, when the Mississauga native caught a en route to being awarded the Most Outstanding Canadian trophy after helping . Brissett and the rest of the Argos put on a show on Tuesday afternoon for the fans who had braved the cold temperatures to celebrate the team’s second Grey Cup in a three-year span. Dr.
Tai Adeboboye, the father of Argos running back Daniel Adeboboye, holds his sign at the team’s Grey Cup victory rally. From team ownership to front office officials, local politicians (Mayor Olivia Chow presented a plaque to MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum proclaiming Nov. 19 as Double Blue Day in Toronto) and players, the rally’s theme was about family and belief.
The team’s success was predicated on the mantra that they have each other’s back as one giant family, and a belief that they could achieve the ultimate goal no matter the obstacles. Perhaps nobody embodies that overall spirit more than Brissett. Back in June when the season was in its infancy, of how he and his younger brother Oshae motivate each other.
Oshae Brissett had just celebrated an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics, and his older brother was eyeing an opportunity to up him in the trophy count. “It feels great,” he said about accomplishing that goal. “This is for my family.
They raised us well, so we do this for them, for the city of Toronto, for Mississauga, so I just want to keep winning.” For Brissett, the on-field success he achieves goes beyond his own benefit. He hopes it serves as an example of what is possible.
“I want to talk to my young people. I’m just a kid from Mississauga. If I can do it, if my brother can do it, you can do it too,” he told the crowd.
“And all my adults, don’t be afraid to pivot. Go apply for that job, go pick up a new hobby. My mom just went back to school.
” Despite coming in as underdogs against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday, the Argos are Grey Cup champions once again. And all those who spoke at Tuesday’s celebration rally left no doubt that they are hungry for more. “Never underestimate an underdog, you just may get eaten,” wide receiver DaVaris Daniels told the fans amid champagne showers.
As players and coaching staff took turns holding the Grey Cup on the podium, one person who could not partake in the jumping jubilations was . He was all smiles despite recovering from a broken tibia he suffered during the playoff run. When it was Kelly’s turn to speak, he moved on his crutches, leaned into the microphone and shouted as loud as he could: “Let’s go!” “Y’all don’t know how good it feels to be up here right now,” said Kelly before thanking his teammates for finishing the job in his absence.
“We’re going to run it back next year.” Kelly was subject of a CFL investigation earlier in the year that concluded with at the start of the season. By the time he came back and was carrying his team to the Grey Cup again, in the final minutes of the third quarter of the East Final in Montreal.
But the team had his back all the way through, and they made sure to let him know publicly. “Our starting quarterback was injured, but we see him here even today,” said general manager Michael “Pinball” Clemons. “The heart of a champion is not something that you have, it’s who you are.
” Added head coach Ryan Dinwiddie: “I have never met a mentally tougher kid than Chad.” Argos GM Mike “Pinball” Clemons, left, has a laugh and a hug with coach Ryan Dinwiddie. The coach said he could not be any prouder of his team for the way they overcame adversity and showed resilience all year long.
The belief that they could reach the ultimate goal never wavered. Dinwiddie shared a story of how he tucked away a toonie inside BC Place in Vancouver back in September when the Argos played there. He thought the 33-17 win was a turning point for the season, and told his players they would be back for the Grey Cup.
On Sunday, he recovered the coin and showed it to them after the win. “You’ve got to find ways to make sure guys are ready to believe in what we’re doing,” he said. The Argos will carry that belief into next season.
“On to the next,” Daniels told the crowd. “We’re finished, but I don’t think we are done yet.”.
