The Alouettes’ star player, Marc-Antoine Dequoy, comes from L’Île-Bizard. A video game studies graduate, he played his university football with the University of Montreal Carabins.
He was selected in the second round of the Canadian Football League draft by the Alouettes. However, he had a brief stay in rookie camp with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. However, COVID-19 ended his career in the United States as the number of players on each team’s roster was reduced.
His mother, Carolann, died more than a year ago at the age of 57 from widespread cancer. Today we will talk about beautiful moments that he shared with his father Vincent, his brother Laurent and his wonderful mother, who was a source of inspiration for him in his youth.
Your parents had a huge influence on you.
My father passed on to me his passion for football, the importance of winning with great humility and respecting the opponent. It was vital to him.
Your mother was always there.
My father worked while my mother gave up teaching to be there for my brother and me. In the evenings after school, it was mom who took us to our sports practices.
Never give up in life.
My mother taught me the importance of never giving up in life. She kept telling me that I shouldn’t be afraid to break down doors to be successful.
Sport encouraged you to complete your studies.
Without sport I would never have completed my studies. I wasn’t an enthusiastic student. I would have been a dropout.
Your teacher described you as a horned angel.
I wasn’t the class clown, but I loved playing pranks and laughing. I was actually very active, so working out really helped me focus.
How were the family holidays?
We traveled through cities in the United States. We visited Disney and Quebec and had a lot of fun.
Her first job was selling cans.
With my friends we walked the streets of L’Île-Bizard to collect empty cans and then sell them.
They also worked as landscape gardeners.
My uncle had a construction company, so I worked for him in the summer on the various construction sites.
You’ve never played offensively.
When I started at age 5, I played defense. It’s not complicated, I was like a dog always chasing the ball.
Cut off from the team despite your eight interceptions.
In Secondary 5, I decided to try my luck with the North Shore soccer team. At the end of training camp, despite my eight interceptions, they hurt me.
Your father was angry.
My father was legitimately so angry that he wanted to meet the coaches. After careful consideration, I told him not to waste his time because in the end I would have more fun playing with my friends at Collège Bourget.
At Collège Bourget you were searching for your identity.
After I finished secondary school, I had to make a career choice. I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in sports, regardless of my role.
You joined the Cégep Montmorency program without an invitation.
I had previously visited Cégep André-Laurendeau, but there was no football program and, above all, I no longer wanted to play football. As I walked through the hallways of Cégep Montmorency, I saw a poster about soccer training.
What did you do ?
I went to the trainer’s office and asked if I could sign up for training. They had no idea who I was when they said yes. This was the beginning of my career at CEGEP and the university.
You dreamed of playing for the Alouettes.
My goal was to play for the Alouettes. I watched them and was proud when I saw them win Gray Cups. My idol was Anthony Calvillo.
Anthony used to bully you and now you tease him.
When I came to the University of Montreal, Anthony was one of the assistant coaches and I didn’t dare bother him. Today he is an assistant coach with the Alouettes. I tease him by asking him how many interceptions I had against him.
You enjoyed your experience at the University of Montreal.
The camaraderie, the family spirit and the will to win gave me unforgettable moments that shaped my life.
The Bengals quarterback wears the Alouettes jersey.
Joe Burrow came to the game wearing an old Alouettes jersey with the name “Burrow” on the back because his father, Jim, played with the Alouettes and even won the Gray Cup. I was proud of our organization.
How are you feeling this Gray Cup week?
When I was young, I dreamed of playing for the Alouettes in the Gray Cup. My dream came true today.
You have shared your life with Victoria for four years.
I am fortunate to be able to share my life with her as we go through the different phases of our lives together. It is a pillar that carries us through the good and difficult times in life. Victoria is a woman I love very much.