With the grandson's arrival at Laval University's Rouge et Or, Glen Constantin will be in close contact with three generations of the Gravel family since his beginnings in football.
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During his two seasons as a player with the Beauce-Appalaches Condors in 1983 and 1984, the Rouge et Or head coach was led by grandfather Benoît Gravel, who became an important figure in his life.
From 1995 to 1998, Constantin managed Bernard, who was the first Rouge et Or player elected to the CFL and was part of the team's 25-year All-Star team. This fall he will welcome Simon, who will make his debut on the university scene.
The founder of the Condors football program and the first head coach of the Beauceron team, who died in March 2017, played an important role in Constantin's career.
“It’s something special to train your grandson,” said the Laval pilot. It was also special to guide his son. There is a very strong family bond. Benoît played an important role in my career and he gave me good advice. He was like a second father. He always remained involved with the Rouge et Or program and helped us recruit certain Beauce players.”
Although the Rouge et Or as we know it today did not exist at the time, Benoît played football while studying physical education at the University of Laval when the games were played on the Plains of Abraham.
A fifth second generation player
After Étienne and Justin Cloutier, Enzo Pepe Esposito and Andrew Menzies, Simon is the fifth player to follow in his father's footsteps with the Rouge et Or. “Since I was very young, I dreamed of wearing the Rouge et Or uniform. said the Filons de Thetford Mines defender, who wore the same number 25 as his father. I saw several parts of Laval with my father and grandfather. I talked to my grandfather a lot about sports.”
Photo courtesy of Les Crinqués de Photos
If the son is happy with the result, the same goes for the father, who wore the colors of the Rouge et Or from 1995 to 1998, was drafted in the 5th round by the British Columbia Lions in 1998 and won the first Vanier Cup in 2011 skyrocketed program history in 1999 as an assistant coach.
“It's crazy that the third generation of Gravels is playing in Laval,” said the head of the track and field soccer program at L'Ancienne-Lorette high school. My father showed me photos from his football years in Laval. I'm glad that Rouge et Or continued to recruit Simon, even though he encountered some pitfalls [blessures].”
“He enjoys joining the big family,” continues the former Rouge et Or defensive back, linebacker and kicker. “It will be a great life experience.” Simon has been going to Rouge et Or since he was a teenager. He has heard about it from those around him and knows some of my former teammates.
His mother was also a former Rouge et Or
His mother did not play soccer at Laval, but was a key player in the Rouge et Or track and field program from 1993 to 1997. Long jump, sprint and hurdles were her favorite disciplines. In the long jump, his jump of 5.97 m still represents the third best performance in team history.
Hockey and football
Practically unthinkable for a gravel bike, Simon chose the Filons instead of the Condors after completing his school career. There was a good reason for his decision.
“I wanted to continue playing hockey and soccer,” he explained. In Beauce the Condors offer Junior AAA and I wasn't up to it. It was a better opportunity to go to Thetford Mines and play [au niveau] College hockey. Several players already practiced both sports.”
As soon as ice hockey is over, Simon devotes himself exclusively to football. He underwent a second surgery in the fall for a torn anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that ruined his final season. He hopes to recover in time for the training camp in Rouge et Or in August.