Jaime Stein
CFL.ca
Once again I have drawn the short straw and have the unenviable task of going from media event to party to fan extravaganza at the Grey Cup. What better place to go behind the scenes than the 2008 Grey Cup in Montreal?
Traditionally, Tuesday is a slow day at the Grey Cup. Teams don’t usually arrive until late in the day and the Grey Cup Festival area is still in set-up mode.
However, thanks to the Montreal Alouettes making it to the Grey Cup game in their own city, there was more action than usual today.
The Als held a press conference with their rookie head coach, Marc Trestman, in the bowels of the Olympic Stadium. There was an exceptionally large contingent of media on hand to throw questions Trestman’s way.
Trestman’s press conference was followed by a second press conference for Anthony Calvillo. The demand for Calvillo’s time by the media was so great that it was determined that a press conference was the best way to go. And why not? Calvillo has had an amazing season on the field and the way he has dealt with his adversity off the field has been simply outstanding. A.C. looked relaxed this morning – and so he should – as the Grey Cup game has been a second home to him since the turn of the millennium.
Following the press conference, the Als’ dressing room was open to the media. For many members of the press, this was a first. During the Don Matthews era, the Als dressing room was strictly off limits to members of the fourth estate. Today, however, the mood was light as the players mingled with the press.
Hamilton Tiger-Cat offensive lineman Marwan Hage has joined our team here at CFL.ca and will be filing video reports throughout the week. He quickly drew reactions from the Als players as he approached them to do interviews. It didn’t take long to see where Marwan’s loyalties lie – he made a straight line for the offensive linemen and managed to interview three of Montreal’s starting five. Our fact checkers are on the case to determine whether Marwan set a CFL record for the most offensive linemen interviewed during one afternoon.
I had a chance to speak with Randee Drew about the slogan the Als have hanging in each locker: EVERYTHING MATTERS. Drew explained that this was one of many slogans that the team has used to help get them thought this season.
One other point of interest inside the locker room was that in each stall, the players’ number hung on the inside and below the number was the name of every other Alouette to have worn that jersey number. It was a classy tribute to past players.
The Calgary Stampeders arrived in town this evening and they will make their formal appearance tomorrow at practice at the Olympic Stadium. Stay tuned to CFL.ca for all the latest news and behind the scenes video and photos. Each day we will be posting an exclusive photo gallery from events at the 2008 Grey Cup.
Jaime Stein is the Canadian Football League’s Manager of Digital Media and the former play-by-play voice of the Toronto Argonauts.
